Harendra’s team first to qualify for the semis after 6-0 rout of Uttar Pradesh Wizards 6-0
13th February 2016: Ranchi: Coach Harendra Singh’s Ranchi Rays lived up to the status of being defending champions when it blasted Uttar Pradesh Wizards 6-0 at home today.
With 32 points in 9 matches, the Junior India coach’s bunch of boys became the first of the six teams to qualify for the semis. Its interesting to note that this landmark was made only at the 26th match of the Hockey India League, showing how down the wire the matches have gone.
Its ironical that in the match where the teams trained by Indian junior India coach Ranchi Rays and Senior India coach, Uttar Pradesh Wizards figured, the former came out with flying colours.
Ranchi Rays, who had been unbeaten so far on home turf, struck the first goal in the 40th minute through a spectacular field goal from Flynn Ogilvie giving the hosts an extremely hard fought lead ( 2-0).
Earlier all the sharp attacks of the hosts met with stern goalkeeping by PR Sreejesh, with able support coming from the defenders Raghunath in particular.
It was in the 47th minute Ranchi punched the visitors again through Ashley Jackson.
The hosts sealed the game to their name in the 59th minute through their field goal from Sumit Kumar giving it massive 6-0 win over Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
Awards
The Coal India Goal of the Match award of INR 50,000 was presented to Sumit Kumar of Ranchi Rays while his team mate Mohd. Amir Khan walked away with the Most Entertaining Player of the Match award.
Same Sumit won the Man of the Match award of INR 50,000 while his team mate Imran Khan won the Hero Emerging Player of the Match award of INR 25,000.
Ranchi Rays and Dabang Mumbai will clash in the next match at the Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi, tomorrow.