HIL 2015: Rays hold Wave Riders

January 27, 2015 01:04 am | Updated 01:04 am IST - KOLKATA:

Ranchi Rays returned from a two-goal deficit to hold defending champion Delhi Wave Riders 2-2 in third edition of Hero Hockey India League at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi on Monday.

Looking for its first win of the tournament, Wave Riders started briskly and found the lead before the home team could settle down. Akashdeep Singh found the target off a nicely coordinated move to give the visitors the lead in the third minute.

Wave Riders made sharp and swift attacks, that resulted from an effective combination between captain Sardar Singh and Gurbaj Singh in the centre and New Zealand forward Simon Child upfront.

The visitors continued the momentum in the second quarter and earned a series of penalty corners, one of which was converted by forward Danish Mujtaba in the 27th.

The home side clawed back into the match reducing the margin within a minute. Ranchi Rays Australian goalkeeper Lovell Tyler did a great job under the bar and ensured that the visitors did not enhance their lead anymore.

Tyler’s countryman Nick Budgeon got the host into the match with a fine penalty-corner conversion in the 28th minute. Rays redoubled their efforts after the long break and found the equaliser five minutes into the third quarter off Mandeep Singh.

The 20-year-old forward showed great control and position as he volleyed home a rasping cross from Australian midfielder Trent Mitton.

Rays failed to make much of the advantage earned in the final quarter when Wave Riders played with 10 men for as many minutes with key defender Rupinder Pal Singh asked to cool his heels with a yellow card.

Rays now have seven points from three matches while Wave Riders have four from two draws.

The result: Ranchi Rays 2 (Nick Budgeon 28, Mandeep Singh 35) drew with Delhi Wave Riders 2 (Akashdeep Singh 3, Danish Mujtaba 27). Man-of-the-match: Birendra Lakra (Ranchi Rays).

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.