Anti-climax for Delhi, allows Rhinos their glory
Delhi took the early lead in the 25th minute and then failed to enhance despite creating numerous chances. And then its mainstay at the back Rupinder Pal Singh cooked them in.
Most expected team thus ended up as the losers on a day which saw good hockey all around.
When everything was in Delhi’s command, Rupinder Pal, its main defender did the blunder.
He took his own sweet time to clear the ball in front of his own circle, when he was all alone with the ball. He was causal, but not Mandeep Singh who snatched it and spurted into the circle. Rupinder applied his stick on other, conceded a penalty corner. DWs referral did not stand.
The game changed here.
Delhi team, which played like a lion among lambs from the Day One, caved in then on.
Usually alert goalie Nicolas Jacobi let the first push go home below his body in the penalty corner drill, and then the Rhinos, egged on by full stands, smelt success.
The scene before that was different.
In the third quarter, Delhi had ample chances to enhance its lead. Rupinder Pal Singh chose to be on his low. He messed up all three attempts with same tries.
He missed all the three penalty corners in that spell, his tries lacking in any innovation.
When Imran Khan conceded a penalty corner near the backline moments later, Moritz Furste took the shot, ball got deflected, Jacobi turned quickly and fell to prevent the rebound on the right, but the ball rolling in front him was spotted by ever-green, ever-alert Manpreet Singh. He whacked it, and did not mistake with it.
That was the goal that ended Delhi’s deserving dream.
Earlier, Simon Child caught a loose ball from Matt Ghodes on the right and hit like a tennis shot, the ball into the cage between George Beseley and the right post.
In the dying moments, Akash Singh got a chance, but let it go with a slack approach.
Sardar Singh was named Player of the Tournament while Mandeep Singh got the Promising Player of the award, each carrying Rs.20 lacs.
AWARDS
Hero Goal of the Day: Manpreet Singh
Man-of-the-Match: Mauritz Furtse
WINNERS (Prize Money Rs 2,50,00,000/-): Ranchi Rhinos
RUNNERS-UP (Prize Money: Rs 1,25,00,000/-): Delhi Waveriders
Third Place (Prize Money: Rs 75,00,000/-): Uttar Pradesh Wizards
Fair-Play Award: Ranchi Rhinos
Hero Player of the Tournament (Rs 25,00,000/-): Sardar Singh
v
‘Ponty Chadha Trophy’ for Upcoming Player of the Tournament (Rs 20,00,000/-): Mandeep Singh
‘Airtel Award’ for Most Goals in the Tournament (Rs 10,00,000/-): Delhi Waveriders