Bhubaneswar: Kalinga Lancers captain Arthur Van Doren attributed the team’s success in clinching the Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 title to strong team chemistry, collective mindset, and the enthusiastic support of home fans. The final, held on Monday at Kalinga Hockey Stadium, saw Kalinga Lancers defeat Ranchi Royals 3-2 in a thrilling contest to lift the championship.
Speaking after the victory, Van Doren said, “Bringing the team together in such a short time was the biggest challenge. Four weeks is very little time to build a bond and stand as a team. It was not easy, but we adapted well and are very proud of our performance on the field. We have built a strong unit, which was clearly visible today.”
On the final match, he praised Ranchi Royals as one of the most attacking and entertaining teams in the tournament. “We have played against them multiple times before, so we knew we had to approach with an aggressive mindset. Performing well against such a team means a lot to us.”
Despite leading by a goal in the final moments, the Lancers chose not to adopt a defensive posture but continued to play their natural, positive game.
Van Doren added, “Sitting back and defending only increases pressure. We stayed positive, kept attacking, and stood strong as a unit.”
He also highlighted the crucial role played by the home crowd, saying, “The energy from the local supporters gave us extra strength. The atmosphere was fantastic, and we enjoyed every moment.”
The Kalinga Lancers had an impressive run throughout the tournament, suffering just one loss, which came in a dead rubber match after securing the top spot in the league stage and qualifying for Qualifier-1 well in advance.
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