Delhi Waveriders let the ball do the running, created space at will and finished off moves in the goalmouth with clinical finishing for a 5-3 victory over Mumbai Magicians at the Hero Hockey India League. Yuvraj Walmiki and Akashdeep Singh were on target, and Rajpal Singh struck twice with diving deflections.
Rupinderpal Singh dragged flicked home the fifth for the leaders, the only penalty conversion apart from six field goals on view at Mahindra stadium. Delhi’s seventh win in ten games was built on skipper Sardar Singh’s classy ball distribution and positioning. Jason Wilson displayed sense of space and set up goals.
The goal glut started in the third minute. Walmiki stretched forward at the post to deflect a rebound by Akashdeep after rival goalkeeper Sreejesh padded away the first shot confidently. The move began with Sardara slotting the ball through a maze of players to Matt Gohdes whose square pass found Akashdeep.
Mumbai drew level the first time when Glenn Turner reacted in time to slot home the rebound after a long, angular carpet drive by Bharat Chikara was blocked. Sardara found Matt Wilson with a long pass and the latter tapped the ball across the goalmouth for Rajpal to put Delhi ahead with a connection at the left post.
Turner stamped his class with Mumbai’s second goal, gaining possession on the right and reaching the goalline with a weave and surge, followed by a quick pass back for Timothy Deawin to direct the ball into the net. The fourth goal (2-2) came against the flow of play with Delhi playmakers and forwards teaming up to break through the rival defence from different angles.
Glenn Turner waged a lone battle upfront for winless Mumbai, scored twice and set up one goal, his form contrasting with the struggle by his teammates all over the turf. Rajpal Singh was named ‘man of match’.
Scores
Delhi Waveriders 5 (Yuvraj Walmiki 3, Rajpal Singh 11, 54, Akashdeep Singh 36, Rupinderpal Singh 58) beat Mumbai Magicians 3 (Glenn Turner 10, 68, Timothy Deawin 35).
