News 2015

– Hosts aim to keep up their winning momentum while visitors seek to avenge the loss of their last clash

Ranchi, 07 February 2015: Post thumping Kalinga Lancers 4-0 in the last match, the upbeat Ranchi Rays are ready take on Uttar Pradesh Wizards tomorrow, 08 January 2015 on their home ground in Ranchi. The latter too have found form and beat Jaypee Punjab Warriors in Mohali.

While the hosts will be aspiring to continue their winning momentum, Uttar Pradesh Wizards will step on the turf to avenge their loss of the previous clash between the two where Ranchi Rays had blanked the Wizards 2-0 in front of their domicile crowd. The last match was regarded as Ranchi Rays vs PR Sreejesh wherein the latter gave a tough contest to the opponents to get past him. UP Wizards is working on their defence for tomorrow and are determined to not allow easy access to their D.

Playing six matches each in the League as of yet, both Ranchi Rays and Uttar Pradesh Wizards share 19 points each. It will be interesting to see which team out of the two will register a win in the impending match to gain another few points and take a lead over the other.

Ranchi Rays, with just one loss in the League till now have gradually climbing up the points table and as of today are sitting in the second position. They will look at keeping their position safe on the table tomorrow. What has been working in their favour is their strong defence which doesn’t allowing easy circle penetration and reaching Lovell Tyler the goalkeeper becomes a task for the opponents. Also their strength is their attack and how together they penetrate the circle and reach the D of the opponents.

Be it Stanli Victor Minz  and his clean passes in the D or Nick Wilson and his ability to convert the opportunity or Mandeep Singh with his speed and seamless coordination, everything is working in Ranchi Rays favour. Also, Ashely Jackson with his penalty corner conversions is clearly amongst the most dangerous players in the League today. With almost every department working in their favor, Ranchi Rays will hope everything is as per plan, when they meet UP Wizardstomorrow.

On the other hand, the visiting team Uttar Pradesh Wizards will aim at taking vengeance of their previous loss against the Rays and settle scores with the hosts. They aim to put some of the winning strategies of the past to action and stun Ranchi Rays in the upcoming match. While they know PR Sreejesh will hold the fort for them, they will be looking at strengthening their defence and give a tough time to Ranchi tomorrow. What is working in the team’s favour is the in-form Ramandeep Singh and his skill to convert the opportunities. Also Raghunath will be looking at converting the penalty corners for the team and ensuring that they register a consecutive win.

Convinced of a good game tomorrow, Head Coach of Ranchi Rays, Harendra Singh said, “Our strong defence is making it difficult for the opponents to reach the goalkeeper. Also our attack helps in penetrating and creating the penalty corners. We will look at continuing our form tomorrow. Uttar Pradesh Wizards is a tough team and I hope for an exciting game tomorrow.”

Speaking on the impending game, Captain of Ranchi Rays, Ashley Jackson said, “Our team is full of talented players who gel together as a unit.  We have had only one loss till now and we aim to keep it there. Personally I will look at converting the penalty corners that the team gets. We are eager to play against Uttar Pradesh Wizards again, this time on our home turf amidst our home crowd. We look forward to continuing our winning streak in the League. We are confident that we will put up a great game tomorrow and eventually win.”

Remarking on the upcoming match, Head Coach of Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Roelant Oltmans said, “We played Ranchi Rays in our last match in Lucknow. We have analyzed our match against them and are ready with our strategy. Our strategy in our last game against Jaypee Punjab Warriors worked in our favor and this time again the team will play as per the game plan. We have worked on our mistakes in our practice sessions and we will ensure we do not repeat them. We are aware that Ashley is in form but we will not allow easy goals to him tomorrow”

Ranchi Rays will play against Uttar Pradesh Wizards on 08 February 2015, at 1700 HRS IST at Ranchi.

The match will be telecast LIVE on Star Sports.