AGORC Rise from the Ashes – Stun Defending Champions Income Tax in Shootout Thriller to reach Qualifier #2🏑
- Dr Prakash Ayyadurai
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
29th August 2025, 5:00pm – Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Egmore.
The grandstands were packed, the atmosphere electric, and all eyes on the defending champions Income Tax, crowd favourites who just a year ago had scripted a rags-to-riches story in TPL. Many expected a repeat of that fairy tale this year. But AGORC had other ideas.
Resilient, gritty, and unyielding, AGORC clung on till the very last stroke, ultimately toppling the champions in a dramatic 1–1 (5–4 SO) finish to book their ticket to Qualifier 2 against Indian Bank under the floodlights tomorrow.
🎥 Technology Meets Pressure – Video Referrals Debut in TPL
For the first time in the league’s history, Video Referral was in play, and both teams wasted no time putting it to the test.
The crowd held its breath when umpire Krishnakumar went upstairs for a penalty corner decision. Video Umpire Alberthad to review angles multiple times before giving his verdict – not hasty, but accurate. Soon after, Shajahan too sent a call upstairs, and this time the decision went against Income Tax.
It was clear: technology was here not for speed, but for fairness under pressure.
⏱ Match Timeline
When the final hooter blew, it was all square – 1–1. The stage was set for a shootout thriller.
⚡ Shootout Drama
Income Tax captain and star goalkeeper Arun Prasad made his presence felt immediately, denying AGORC’s ace #77 Veerathamizhan V in the first exchange. He looked unbeatable, the crowd roaring with every move.
Both sides traded goals through Vinoth Kumar, Mareeswaran, Mahkeet Singh, Manikandan for ITX and Medappa, Deshpoovaiah, Murali, Kavin Kishore for AGORC.
The turning point came when Murali (#30) was initially denied by Arun Prasad. AGORC went upstairs, challenging for a push from the goalkeeper. After a tense 3-minute referral review, Albert awarded a penalty stroke. Calm as ice, Chiran Medappa slotted it in.
The crowd went into frenzy. Technology had changed the tide.
“Senthil Nayagam’s do-or-die attempt, a beautifully executed dodge, met only the cruel clang of the woodwork — leaving Income Tax with heartbreak.”
😱 Sudden Death
The drama intensified:
Mareeswaran (#69, ITX) cracked under pressure, his attempt rolling off like a cloudy, half-hearted push.
Chiran Medappa (#13, AGORC) converted it coolly.
AGORC had done it. Final: AGORC 5–4 SO (1–1 FT).
🏅 Man of the Match
Raguram (Income Tax) was adjudged Man of the Match, for his tireless work in midfield. The medal was awarded by Mr. Somesh, Lead Bank Manager – Indian Overseas Bank & Vice President, Hockey Tiruvallur.
👥 Teams
AGORC:
1 Gokulakrishnan (GK), 5 Kavin Kishore, 6 Vasudevan, 7 Harvey Jason (C), 8 Suriya (DNP), 9 Murugesh, 10 Santhosh Kumar, 13 Chiran Medappa, 15 Thishul Ganapathi, 16 Upendra Singh Tanwar (GK), 22 Sathwik H R, 23 Dhamu, 24 Aravind, 28 Yuvaraj, 30 Murali, 33 Deshpoovaiah, 36 Madhubalan, 77 Veerathamizhan V.
Coach: R Ramesh | Manager: V Shanumugam
Income Tax:
1 Nithyashivaprasad (GK), 3 Chingappa, 5 Krishnan, 8 Senthil Nayagam, 9 Vignesh, 13 Mahkeet Singh, 15 Hari, 16 Kalaiarasu, 17 Jeevakumar, 19 Karthikeyan, 20 Manikandan, 23 Meganathan, 26 Raghuram, 32 Arun Prasad (GK) (C), 52 Naveen, 55 Vinoth Kumar, 69 Mareeswaran, 77 Mahendran.
Coach: G Udayakumar | Manager: R Saminathan
🧑⚖ Match Officials
Umpires: Shajahan, Krishnakumar
Judges: Abdus Samad (Scoring), Navaneethakrishnan (Timing)
Technical Officer: Lakshminarayanan
Video Umpire: Albert
🎙 Telecast & Commentary
The match was broadcast live on i1Sports, with passionate Tamil commentary. Joining the box was SM Nagar’s veteran F. S. Anand, who enthralled viewers with anecdotes of hockey history and legends like Major Dhyan Chand, alongside insights from Ex-Indian player Mr. Prabhakaran.
🗣 Post-Match Buzz
Video Umpire Albert: “This was a do-or-die match for both teams. I had to be cautious. Fairness demanded patience.”
Veerathamizhan V (AGORC): “We’re happy about today, but can’t be complacent. Tomorrow is another do-or-die. We must rest, recover, and rise again.”
🔜 Next Stop – Floodlit Showdown
AGORC, the phoenix that keeps rising, now faces a monumental clash against Indian Bank in Qualifier 2, tomorrow at 5:30 PM under the floodlights.
The defending champions bow out, but the league just witnessed one of its greatest nights of drama, resilience, and technology meeting destiny.
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