News for 04 January 2026
All the news for Sunday 4 January 2026
Indoor USMNT Battled Higher Ranked Opponents on Day 2 of Rohrmax Cup
VIENNA, Austria – The No. 15 U.S. Men’s National Team faced a tough slate on the second day of the 2026 Rohrmax Cup, taking on two higher-ranked opponents. USA fell to No. 11 Croatia, 9–4, before narrowly dropping a 4–3 decision to No. 13 Switzerland.
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons clinch a 3-3 (4-2 SO) win against Hyderabad Toofans in the opening game of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League
Prince Deep Singh saved two penalties for the Dragons in the penalty shootout, helping them secure a bonus point
Chennai: Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons secured a thrilling penalty shootout victory against Hyderabad Toofans to begin their campaign with a bonus point in the opening game of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Egmore. The two teams were held at 3-3 in regulation time, before the Dragons clinched a 4-2 win in the shootout, with Prince Deep Singh making two crucial saves.
Tamil Nadu Dragons triumphs over Hyderabad Toofans in shootout thriller
In an attack-heavy contest with six goals, it was India’s ‘keeper at the Junior World Cup, Princedeep Singh, who settled the contest, denying Talwinder Singh in the shootout.
Abhishek Saini
Prince Deep Singh (R) of Tamil Nadu Dragons makes a save during the shootout against Hyderabad Toofans in the opening game of Hockey India League 2025-26. | Photo Credit: R RAGU
The opening fixture of the Hockey India League 2025-26 perfectly brought out the wildly-oscillating nature of modern hockey as Tamil Nadu Dragons edged past Hyderabad Toofans 4-2 in a shootout following a high-octane 3-3 draw at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
Tamil Nadu Dragons edge Hyderabad Toofans in shootout thriller in Men’s HIL opener
Goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh shines in penalty shootout as Dragons claim bonus point after a 3–3 draw in regulation time.
Tamil Nadu Dragons edge Hyderabad Toofans in shootout thriller in Men’s HIL opener (Photo credit: HI) By The Bridge Desk Published: 3 Jan 2026 7:37 PM Tamil Nadu Dragons began their Men’s Hockey India League campaign with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Hyderabad Toofans after the two sides played out a pulsating 3–3 draw in regulation time at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Friday.
SG Pipers come from behind to beat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 3-1 in Women's Hero Hockey India League
Lola Riera, Jyoti Singh, and Sunelita Toppo scored a goal each for the Pipers
Ranchi: SG Pipers produced a composed and authoritative performance to defeat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 3-1 in their Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) encounter at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium here, combining sustained attacking pressure with resolute defending to extend their stay at the top of the points table.
Table-topper SG Pipers continues dominant run with 3-1 win over Soorma Hockey Club
JSW Soorma Hockey Club, last year’s Women’s Hockey India League runner-up, was effectively shown the door by the current iteration’s table topper, SG Pipers.
Santadeep Dey
SG Pipers’ Sunelita Toppo (29), who scored the third goal against JSW Soorma Hockey Club, celebrates during a Women’s Hockey India League match at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
On Saturday, the denizens in Ranchi came together to commemorate the 123rd birth anniversary of Jaipal Singh Munda. A distinguished politician, accomplished sportsman, and visionary leader, Jaipal’s legacy endures through the iconic 5,000-seater AstroTurf Stadium in Morabadi that bears his name.
SG Pipers rally to beat Soorma 3–1, tighten grip on top spot in Women’s HIL
Goals from Lola Riera, Jyoti Singh and Sunelita Toppo help SG Pipers overturn an early deficit in Ranchi. 
SG Pipers rally to beat Soorma 3–1, tighten grip on top spot in Women’s HIL (Photo credit: Hockey India)
SG Pipers produced a composed comeback to defeat Soorma Hockey Club 3–1 in their Women’s Hockey India League fixture at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Friday, strengthening their position at the top of the standings.
After Junior World Cup glory, Ankit Pal seeks senior call-up via Hockey India League
Bought by Delhi SG Pipers for Rs 20 lakh, the Madhya Pradesh midfielder aims to build on the confidence gained from ending India’s nine-year Junior World Cup medal drought late last year.
S. Prasanna Venkatesan
When the Indian junior men’s hockey team bounced back from a 5-0 semifinal heartbreak against Germany to clinch bronze at the recent FIH Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, midfielder Ankit Pal stood out for the maturity he displayed in situations that once overwhelmed him.
Rachwalski calls on experience for Polish men in Heidelberg
Dariusz Rachwalski has called upon an experienced squad as the Polish men look to back up their men’s 2024 EuroHockey Championship silver medal in Heidelberg next weekend.
Craig Fulton interview: ‘With packed Pro League schedule, and World Cup-Asian Games block in mind, looking to select two separate groups’
India coach cites hectic calendar ahead and says having two groups is the best way forward to get desired results at World Cup and Asiad
by Vinayakk Mohanarangan
FultonIndia chief coach Craig Fulton at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium (PHOTO: HIL)
Indian hockey is gearing up for a big challenge in 2026, with the World Cup and Asian Games separated by less than three weeks. For men’s team head coach Craig Fulton, it presents a puzzle to solve because he can’t afford to ignore one for the other. A World Cup medal has long eluded Indian hockey, while Asian Games winner qualifies for LA 2028.
Backed by Fulton, shaped by patience: Sanjay ready to lead Indian hockey forward
Appointed co-captain of Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League’s second season, 24-year-old Sanjay will share the armband with Belgium’s Arthur Van Doren as the team tries to break into the playoffs after a sixth-place finish last year.
Abhishek Saini
Sanjay is surfing on a wave of confidence now. Yet, his meteoric rise often overlooks how he had to bide time in the ranks. | Photo Credit: Sanjay Instagram
By the time Sanjay completed his media commitments as Kalinga Lancers captain, a day before Hockey India League’s second season commenced in Chennai, his side engaged in a practice match. Sanjay was not on the pitch, but he was the most active player.
Tributes for leading Irish Hockey figure Brian Caruth
Tributes have poured in folliwing death of Brian Caruth PIC: Hockey Ireland/Facebook
Tributes have been paid from across the Irish hockey community following the death of Brian Caruth, a long-serving administrator and former president of CI Annadale Hockey Club, who died on New Year’s Eve.