Delhi Waveriders continued with its fine run, beating Mumbai Magicians 2-1, to record its second consecutive win in the Hockey India League here on Wednesday. Waveriders leads the table with 10 points.
As in the last match, the Delhi frontline showed its attacking intent and put the Magicians’ backline through some stern tests.
The quick and clever Simon Child made several inroads into the visiting side’s citadel. He gave a fine cross to Yuvraj Walmiki, who dived but could not tap the ball in.
On another occasion, South African Lloyd Norris Jones could not make the most of a fabulous through ball from an on-the-run Akashdeep Singh.
Led by the rock-solid Aussie Liam de Young, who was drafted late into the squad, Magicians gave a spirited display despite the absence of its Pakistani recruits.
Waveriders finally tasted success in the second quarter when Rupinderpal Singh scored off the team’s second consecutive penalty corner in the 26th minute. A scorching flick along the turf was good enough to beat Sreejesh.
Waveriders kept up the pressure and scored the second goal in the 49th minute. Jones pushed in a brilliant cross from Sardar Singh via Imran Khan.
Magicians brought the game alive a minute later as Sandeep Singh executed a high flick to beat Delhi custodian Nicolas Jacobi.
Rhinos posts first win
PTI reports from Jalandhar
A solid defensive display helped Ranchi Rhinos defeat Jaypee Punjab Warriors 2-1 and begin its campaign on a winning note.
Rhinos’ Ashley Jackson put the team ahead with a clinical drag flick in the 43rd minute and Mandeep Singh doubled the lead six minutes later. Warriors’ Kieran Govers reduced the deficit with a reverse hit seven minutes from time.
The results: At New Delhi: Delhi Waveriders 2 (Rupinderpal Singh 26, Lloyd Norris Jones 49) bt Mumbai Magicians 1 (Sandeep Singh 50).
At Jalandhar: Ranchi Rhinos 2 (Ashley Jackson 43, Mandeep Singh 49) bt Jaypee Punjab Warriors 1 (Kieran Govers 63).
