Kalinga Lancers on Sunday edged out Delhi Waveriders 2-1 in an inconsequential match of the Hockey India League (HIL) at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in New Delhi.
They didn’t have any hopes of qualifying for the knock out stage but Kalinga still gave a good performance in their last game of the tournament, scripting a come-from-behind win against Delhi, who are already through to the last four.
Aran Zalewski (40th minute) and Russell Ford (49th) were the goalscorer for Lancers, while Andy Hayward (29th) was the player for Delhi to find the net.
Lancers ended with 21 points at the fifth spot in the table, while Dabang Mumbai have 15 points with only a match remaining to be played.
After an attacking first quarter which was dominated by the Waveriders, it was the Lancers who were the first to earn a penalty corner. However, Delhi defence thrawed the attempt as the first quarter ended 0-0.
Continuing their aggressive hockey in the second quarter, the Waveriders finally earned successive penalty corners.
While the first one was wasted, Andy Hayward ensured that the hosts drew first blood in the second PC.
Hayward produced a grounded shot, which hit a defender’s stick before jumping and hitting the roof of the net as Delhi were 1-0 ahead at the break.
In the third quarter, Lancers bounced back to level the score in the 40th minute. It was Man-of-the-Match Aran Zalewski, who dodged the Waveriders defence and pounced on the ball and belted it home without much ado.
In the fourth quarter, Lancers nosed ahead when Zalewski feeded the ball to compatriot Russell Ford, who didn’t make any mistake and found the net in the 49th minute.
After that, Lancers defended successfully the Waveriders attempts for an equaliser to emerge victorious.
Waveriders will play UP Wizards in their 10th and last league game here on Wednesday.
