Delhi Wave Riders News

New Delhi, February 12, 2014: Last year’s runners-up Delhi Waveriders scored a late winner through Akashdeep Singh to beat defending champions Ranchi Rhinos 1-0 in a league match and consolidate their position in the second edition of Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi today.

It was expected to be hard-fought but goal-scoring contest between two teams who were the finalists last year and it turned out to be one, albeit the fact that the first 35 minutes of the game failed to produce any goals.

The Delhi Waveriders dominated the first quarter but the Ranchi Rhinos came out on top in the second quarter.

Both the teams made some impressive forays in the opening half but much to the disappointment of the large crowd goals present at the stadium the moves did not transpire into goals.

The Ranchi Rhinos got a golden opportunity to take the lead five minutes from the breather when they earned the first penalty corner of the game but the visitors wasted the opportunity.

The Ranchi Rhinos made a positive start in the third quarter and earned more two penalty corners in quick time but what did them in was execution.

The Delhi Waveriders got their first real scoring chance of the match in the 49th minute but Rupinderpal Singh medium height flick was well anticipated by Ranchi Rhinos goalkeeper Francisco Cortes as the deadlock continued.

After some tough midfield battle, Delhi Waveriders finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute through Akashdeep Singh, who latched on to a defensive lapse from Kothajit Singh to slot the ball into the opposition net past Cortes in Ranchi goal.

Ranchi Rhinos got their fourth penalty corner in the final minute of the match but yet again they wasted the opportunity, which turned out to be their final equalizing chance.

Ranchi Rhinos had earlier defeated the Waveriders by same margin in their earlier meeting this year.

The win gave the Delhi Waveriders five points and consolidated their top position with 34 points from nine games, while Ranchi Rhinos pocketed two points from the match.

The Delhi Waveriders will next face Dabur Mumbai Magicians in Mumbai on Saturday while the Ranchi Rhinos will play Kalinga Lancers in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Speaking on the performance by the team Gregg Clark Head Coach, Ranchi Rhinos said “Disappointed with the results today. We had a lot of chances but were unable to convert. While we were able to keep the ball with us most of the time but we couldn’t finish in the desired manner. The team confidence is high and we take a lot of positives from this game”

Speaking on today performance by the team Head Coach Cedric D’Souza, Delhi Waveriders said “An evenly fought match today. Lot of chances was created but we could not close those chances. The end result is satisfactory and the team played well. We lost to Ranchi Rhinos in the finals of the first edition and even in the pool matched and this was a good game to win today. Hope we continue this form in the last match before the semi-finals”.

YES Bank Garv Award winner – Akashdeep Singh

Man of the Match – Sardar Singh

Hero Goal of the Match Award – Akashdeep Singh