JSW Soorma Hockey Club ended their Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025-26 group stage with a commanding 6–1 win over the SG Pipers. However, the result was not enough to take them into Qualifier 2, as they needed a seven-goal victory to advance.

Jeremy Hayward led Soorma’s charge with four powerful drag-flick goals, while Lucas Martinez and Nicolas Keenan also found the net. Despite the heavy defeat, the SG Pipers defended strongly in the closing minutes to deny Soorma the final goal they desperately needed.

Fast start puts Pipers under pressure

Soorma began the match with great intensity and pushed the Pipers deep into their own half. Their early pressure paid off quickly when they earned a penalty corner in the opening minutes. Jeremy Hayward stepped up and fired a fierce drag flick into the right corner to open the scoring.

Soorma maintained the momentum with a high press and constant attacks from the flanks. Soon after, they won another penalty corner. Once again, Hayward was unstoppable as he beat goalkeeper Tomas Santiago to make it 2–0.

Martinez adds third as Soorma stay in control

The Pipers tried to push forward at times but struggled to trouble Soorma’s defence. Soorma continued to dominate possession and territory.

With five minutes left in the first quarter, Gurjant Singh won the ball high up the field and passed it to Lucas Martinez. The forward made no mistake and calmly finished into an open goal, extending the lead to 3–0.

Pipers resist as tempo drops slightly

In the second quarter, Soorma continued to control the ball, but the Pipers shifted to a more defensive setup. They sat deep to limit further damage and managed to slow the game down.

The Pipers also created a few chances of their own and tested goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch, but they could not convert any of their opportunities.

Hayward strikes again, goals at both ends

Soorma changed their approach in the third quarter by using long aerial balls to stretch the Pipers’ defence. This tactic soon brought success, as another penalty corner was awarded. Hayward unleashed another powerful drag flick into the bottom right corner, which was too quick for Jarmanpreet Singh to stop.

Late in the quarter, the Pipers finally enjoyed a spell of possession and earned their first penalty corner. Tomas Domene converted with a low flick into the left corner to score their only goal.

Soon after, a foul by Pawan resulted in a penalty stroke for Soorma. Hayward calmly slotted it home, restoring a four-goal cushion by the end of the third quarter.

Late push falls short

Soorma raised the intensity again in the final quarter. Their relentless press paid off when Nicolas Keenan reacted fastest after a saved shot and smashed the rebound into the net, making it 6–1 and keeping qualification hopes alive.

The Pipers still showed fight. Manjeet tested Mohith HS with a sharp reverse shot, and Domene came close from another penalty corner, but Mohith produced a brilliant save to deny him.

Soorma earned one more penalty corner in the closing minutes, but Rohit charged down Hayward’s effort to frustrate them. Both teams pushed hard until the final whistle, but the Pipers held firm.

In the end, Soorma had to settle for a 6–1 win, falling just short of the margin needed to progress to the Qualifiers.