The costliest league in the world, Hero Hockey India League, will see hyper action against hyped up Ranchi home crowd with both semifinals lined up for the day.
With full crowds, and all the teams stationed at Ranchi, and having two days of practice at Morabadi Hockey Stadium, where turf was laid on the eve of National Games in 2010, excitement is in full flow.
In the first semifinal, last year’s silver medallist Delhi Waveriders will engage bronze medallist Uttar Pradesh Wizards. In other words, Indian coach Cedric D’Souza, believed to be a best theoretician and practitioner of modern hockey in India, will be in focus.
On the other hand is an old hand, or fox, in UPW’s arsenal. Roelant Oltmans is a battle veteran, and also high performance director of Indian national team.
Both are therefore expected to play a crucial role in seeing the other side off.
On the field, it will be between Rupinder Pal Singh, the penalty corner executioner of Delhi franchise against V Raghunath, also same gentre of player.
Both incidentally form current Indian team’s defence phalanx. Both have proved ample measure of their wares in the HHIL 2014, but not appeared so solid as they were construed to be, mainly because of extreme calibre of goalkeepers, who actually attract every eyeball
Its Raghunath who formed the fortune contours of UPW in winning the bronze against Punjab Warriors, and his penalty corner prowess will decide the outcome today, though for many his defence skills and his alacrity to avoid giving away penalty corners at drop of hat, will count.
Delhi certainly do not look as formidable as it was in the last season, but it came out with trumps insofar as goal scorers are concerned.
Talwinder started it all in the first match, with some spectacular goals, and when goals were in short supply, Yuvraj Walmiki came up with some good opportunistic goals to give his side full points.
With Sardar Singh at the centre, Delhi won’t be lacking in moves upfront, while Teuen de Nooijer often comes to midfield to match him and pep up attack.
Rupinder Pal so far has proved he is an all rounder of worth, and often coming up to speed up the forwardline.In all, first rate quality stuff will be in for the fans today in the first semis
Punjab, pool toppers, will face off fourth finished home team in the second semis, with the visiting team having upper hand in the last two outings between the two.
Return of Ashley Jackson is a good augury for Rhinos, but the form of Manpreet Singh, or lack of it must count.
The reigning champions is in trouble this time at semifinal hurdle, no doubt on that