Delhi Waveriders maintained its successful record against Kalinga Lancers, downing the latter 4-3 in an absorbing Hockey India League clash at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.
Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh showed great efficiency in finding the net after Waveriders were awarded a penalty corner in the fourth minute.
Riding on the initial advantage, Delhi looked set for a repeat of the 5-0 win it earned against the same opponent at home three days ago.
But there was a twist in the script as the Lancers, showing better cohesion, struck back in the second quarter.
With its Argentine forward Lucas Villa breaching the Waveriders defence with more regularity, Lancers were hopeful of an equaliser. It eventually arrived from a 22nd minute penalty after Villa was pushed in the box by Waveriders defender Rupinder Pal. Waveriders regrouped quickly and regained the lead in the 27th minute through a spectacular effort from New Zealand forward Simon Child. Child was equally impressive in his next effort in the 40th minute when he produced a diving shot to take Waveriders 3-1 ahead in the third quarter.
Lancers again hit back through two penalty corners — one each from Gonzalo Peillat and Villa — to level matters at 3-3 in the 56th minute. But the Delhi side got back into its rhythm and found the winner thanks to the seasoned Arjun Halappa in the 58th minute.
The results: Delhi Waveriders 4 (Rupinder Pal Singh 4, Simon Child 27, 40, Arjun Halappa 58) bt Kalinga Lancers 3 (Lucas Villa 22, 56, Gonzalo Peillat 45).
At Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Wizards 2 (David Alegre 12, S.K. Uthappa 54) drew with Jaypee Punjab Warriors 2 (Jake Whetton 6, Satbir Singh 50).
