Thierry Brinkman delivered a stellar performance with a brilliant brace, leading the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers to a commanding 5-1 victory over the Delhi SG Pipers in the Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
The Lancers’ third win of the season propelled them to third place in the standings, while the Pipers, plagued by inefficiency and squandered chances, remained rooted at the bottom after suffering their sixth consecutive defeat.
Despite showing early promise with 10 circle entries in the opening period, the Pipers failed to capitalize. Their fluid movement along the flanks and increased pressure on the Lancers’ defense yielded no goals, with missed opportunities becoming a recurring theme.
In the second quarter, Jake Whetton’s pinpoint long pass was wasted by Iktidar Ishrat, reflecting the Pipers’ ongoing struggles with finishing. The team earned three penalty corners just before halftime, but Krishan Pathak’s heroics in goal ensured the Lancers kept a clean sheet heading into the break.
The match turned decisively in the third quarter as the Lancers seized control, netting four goals in a stunning nine-minute blitz. The absence of Jarmanpreet Singh in the Pipers’ defense only exacerbated their woes.
The Belgian duo of Alex Hendrickx and Arthur van Doren combined masterfully to break the deadlock. Hendrickx’s accurate flick from a penalty corner was perfectly deflected in by van Doren, setting the tone for the Lancers’ dominance.
Thierry Brinkman then showcased his class, stealing the ball from Varun Kumar to slot in a clinical finish. Moments later, with Pipers’ goalkeeper Pawan stranded on the ground, Brinkman capitalized on a loose ball to score his second and extend the lead.
Gursahibjit Singh added to the Pipers’ misery with a deft tap-in from a right-wing cross, taking the score to 5-0.
The Pipers managed a consolation goal in the final quarter, courtesy of Corey Weyer. His impressive solo run ended with a powerful reverse hit that found the back of the net, reducing the deficit but doing little to mask the team’s glaring inefficiencies, including wasting 11 penalty corners.
The Lancers’ clinical display shows their growing confidence, while the Pipers must address their defensive frailties and missed opportunities to salvage their campaign.
