Bhubaneswar, Jan. 26 -- Hyderabad Toofans clinched third place in the Men's Hero Hockey India League (HIL), defeating HIL GC 4-3 in a high-scoring thriller at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Monday.

Amandeep Lakra (30', 53) bagged a brace with Nilakanta Sharma (24') and Jacob Anderson (33') also getting on the scoresheet for the Toofans. Meanwhile, Sam Ward (14', 52') scored twice with Kane Russell (55') also contributing for HIL GC. With this win, the Toofans maintained their winning record against HIL GC this season, as per a Hockey India press release.

Hyderabad Toofans began the game brightly, keeping possession and dictating terms in the early exchanges. With 8 circle entries in the first quarter, they looked the likelier side to fin...