PREVIEW
As the Hockey India League (HIL) returns after a gap of seven years, the 2024/25 men’s tournament will be kicked off by Team Gonasika taking on the Delhi SG Pipers at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday.
The match will be preceded by an opening ceremony which is scheduled to begin at 7 pm IST.
Gonasika has players like India international and two-time Olympic medallist Manpreet Singh, alongside retired experienced defender in Birendra Lakra. While Belgian forward Tom Boon’s withdrawal from the tournament could hurt the franchise, the side has roped in exciting Frenchman Timothee Clement as his replacement.
As for the Pipers, 20-year-old Rohit – a defender from the Indian junior team – will be the player to watch out for. The presence of India national team players in Shamsher Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Raj Kumar Pal and Varun Kumar will also make the side a formidable one.
All things said, the style of play and how well prepared these two teams are will be there for everyone’s eyes to see when they go up against each other to mark the beginning of the HIL.
FULL SQUADS
Team Gonasika:
Defenders: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amir Ali, Birendra Lakra, Yogember Rawat, Timothy Howard (Australia), Dipsan Tirkey, Anmol Ekka
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Lee Morton (Great Britain), Jack Waller (Great Britain), Jacob Draper (Wales), Clement Timothee (France), Yashdeep Siwach, SK Uthappa
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Walker Struan (Great Britain), Araijeet Singh Hundal, Charlet Victor (France), SV Sunil, Nikkin Thimmaiah
Goalkeepers: Oliver Payne (Great Britain), Suraj Karkera, Kamalbir Singh
Delhi SG Pipers:
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Rohit, Pau Clapes (Spain), Joginder Singh, Corey Weyer (Australia), Gareth Furlong (Great Britain)
Midfielders: Shamsher Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Willott KY (Australia), Ankit Pal, Lucas Toscani (Argentina), Jake Whetton (Australia), Manjeet, Thokchom Kingson Singh
Forwards: Tomas Domene (Argentina), Koji Yamasaki (Japan), Dilraj Singh, Aditya Lalage, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Sumit Kumar, Iktidar Ishrat
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Rennie (Australia), Pawan, Adarsh G
When is Team Gonasika vs Delhi SG Pipers HIL match?
The men’s Hockey India League 2024/25 match between Team Gonasika and Delhi SG Pipers will begin at 8:15 pm IST on Saturday at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
Where to watch Team Gonasika vs Delhi SG Pipers LIVE?
The men’s Hockey India League 2024/25 match between Team Gonasika and Delhi SG Pipers will be LIVE telecast on the Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 3, Sony Sports 4). It will also be telecast by Doordarshan.
SonyLIV and WAVES platforms will LIVE stream the match. Moreover, you can stay tuned to Sportstar’s website and app for the latest updates from the fixture.