How Goalkeepers have Made a Huge Impression in 6th Men’s HIL

The 6th Men’s Hockey India League has really come alive with a high dose of excitement all around. One of the striking features of the 6th edition has been the impressive performances of the goalkeepers across franchises. Undoubtedly, goalkeepers have been principally responsible for driving their team in the league and some franchises have come out all guns blazing owing to the exemplary work done by the last man in the post.

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Such has been the dominating performances of the goalkeepers is that out of the 25 matches held so far, 8 Player of the Match awards have been handed out to goalkeepers. Tabletoppers Tamil Nadu Dragons have richly benefited from the rollicking form of their vastly experienced Irish goalkeeper David Harte. The 36-year-old shot stopper has had a big impact on the Dragon’s performance in the HIL, doing the rescue act for the deep defence on umpteen occasions.

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Harte, who also turns out for Dutch club Kampong, has won two Player of the Match awards against Kalinga Lancers and Delhi SG Pipers. “We have a few world-class players and one of them is David Harte. He has made a huge difference to Tamil Nadu Dragons’ performance in the Hockey India League,” observed Tamil Nadu Dragons chief coach Rein Van Ejik.

Another seasoned campaigner – Vincent Vanasch has been a standout performer for the Soorma Hockey Club. The Belgium three-time Olympian with close to 300 internationals has been consistency-personified in the Hockey India League – the ace goalie who also plays for Belgium club Oree, has bagged two Player of the Match awards against Tamil Nadu Dragons and Kalinga Lancers.

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Krishan Pathak has shown why he is India’s best goalkeeper coming up with a string of impressive saves in the Hockey India League. The 27-year-old Indian Oil-employed goalie has been a revelation for Kalinga Lancers – he won the Player of the Match award against Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers and can count himself unlucky to miss on a few more despite his valiant efforts in the cage. “Krishan is a big plus for the Lancers – playing him allows us the cushion of fielding five overseas players which is an advantage we enjoy over other teams. He has been magnificent for us,” says Kalinga Lancers chief coach Valentin Altenburg.

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Similarly, Great Britain & England goalkeeper James Mazarello has also come to the party for UP Rudras – The Rudras goalkeeper, who plays for English club Surbiton Hockey Club, bagged the Player of the Match award against Kalinga Lancers. New Zealand custodian Dominic Dixon has been at its best for the Hyderabad Toofans – he also received the Player of the Match award against UP Rudras. Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers’ goalkeeper Jamie Carr has also given a good account of himself in the HIL – he won the Player of the Match award against UP Rudras.

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Overall the blockbuster run of the goalkeepers have made it all the more tougher for forwards across teams to score field goals. “It’s nice to see the great competition between goalkeepers and it’s also a great challenge for the strikers beating goalkeepers with direct shots is very tough as employing variations be it in open play or durings short corner routine holds the key. Of course, the quality of the goalkeeping would also improve the skills of the strikers,” remarked Altenburg.