HIL 2024-25: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers look to start afresh against Delhi SG Pipers on Sunday

It’s a new match, starts 0-0 — coach Valentin Altenburg

Rourkela, January 20 2025 – Vedanta Kalinga Lancers look to start afresh against Delhi SG Pipers when they meet in pool A in stage 2 of the Hero Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Stadium here on Sunday, January 19.

Kalinga Lancers routed Pipers 5-1 on Thursday to move to 10 points and are strongly placed in the race for semifinal spots, going into an all-play-all Pool A that also features Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers and Soorma HC in their group.

In an eventful third quarter on Thursday, Kalinga Lancers hammered four goals to put the contest out of Pipers’ reach, with Thierry Brinkman scoring a brace. The Dutchman is currently top scorer in this edition with six goals and Kalinga Lancers lead the team goals tally with 20 goals.

“It’s a new game, it starts with 0-0 and with nothing else. So we will also prepare like a new game and we will also play it like a new game,” Kalinga Lancers coach Valentin Altenburg said.

The team will be bolstered by the return of India defender Sanjay who was away to receive the prestigious Arjuna award. “We missed Sanjay a lot the other night. Our defence is the key for our performance. The better we are in defence the more we can actually play our hockey. So I’m very happy to have Sanjay back and I’m looking for a very strong defensive performance,” Altenburg stated.

Altenburg wants the team to continue playing their Kalinga Lancers style hockey — exciting, carefree and involving risks. “Only when we take risks can we be dangerous. So, mistakes are part of our game. The most important thing is what happens after: how quickly we regain control. So I’m already looking forward to us making mistakes and working together to quickly get back on top,” he concluded.

About Kalinga Lancers:

Kalinga Lancers is a premier hockey franchise in the Hockey India League, proudly representing the state of Odisha. Owned by Vedanta Limited, the team embodies the company’s commitment to promoting sports and nurturing young talent. 

As Vedanta’s first venture into sports team ownership, Kalinga Lancers represents a significant milestone in its journey to contribute meaningfully to India’s sports ecosystem. Vedanta’s passion for sports is evident through its investments across sporting disciplines such as football, cricket, marathons, pickleball, and archery, contributing towards fostering a culture of excellence and opportunity in sports.