How New Zealand’s Kane Russell Has Stolen the March Over Ace Drag-Flickers

The initial matches of the 6th Men’s Hockey India League have thrown up tight contests with most games taking the shootout route. Every franchise have invested significantly in their drag-flickers – New Zealand’s Kane Russell has stolen the march over other famed drag-flickers in the league.

Read Bengal Tigers Would Look to Build on their Strong Start in Men’s Hockey India League

The 32-year-old Dunedin born defender, who plays club hockey for Hamburger Polo Club struck two crucial goals that were instrumental in Uttar Pradesh Rudras orchestrating a pugnacious come-from-behind 3-1 win over reigning champions Vedanta Kalinga Lancers.

Read Foreign Players Who Withdrew from 6th Men’s Hockey India League

The three-time Olympian and three-time World-Cupper breathed life into the Uttar Pradesh Rudras camp when it seemed that all was not going great after Spaniard Enrique Gonzalez put Vedanta Kalinga Lancers ahead in the opening quarter, and more importantly, held the slender lead up until the 45th minute of play. It needed the experience of Kane Russell to bring the Rudras into the game, rifling home a short corner in the third quarter and unleashing a fine minute PC goal in between sandwiched by a superb Sudeep Chirmako goal.

Read Onus on Foreign Players to Adapt to the Indian Style: Team Gonasika Coach Paul Revington

The likes of Tomas Domene, Victor Charlet, Jugraj Singh have also made their presence with their drag-flicks but Russel has clearly stolen the thunder from everyone for now. One hopes that ace drag-flickers like Gonzallo Peillat, Jeremy Hayward, Harmanpreet Singh, Jip Janssen, Blake Govers, and Alexander Hendrickx would soon come to the party.