HIL 2016: Semifinalsts spotted, as Delhi Waveriders squeeze in
17th February, 2016: Kalinga Lancers will take on their tormentor Ranchi Rays while it will be between two north based teams, Punjab Warriors and Delhi Waveriders in the Saturday semifinals of the Hockey India League.
The puzzle of spotting semifinalists of the Coal India hockey India League came to an end today with Delhi Waveriders posting an emphatic 6-0 win over Kalinga in the last match of the league phase in Delhi.
This outright win dashed the hopes of Dabang Mumbai, which would have made it to the semif had Kalinga defeated Delhi. It proved tall order.
Kalinga and Dabang had 25 points in 10 matches, but all parameters (goal aggregate, goal difference etc) were decisively in favour of Kalinga for the semis.
Its first semifinal entry for Kalinga while its straight fourth entry in the semis in as many as four seasons.
As so many combination and permutations were theoretically possible, all waited for today’s HIL match No.30.
The massive home crowd support propelled Delhi Waveriders to showcase an attacking extravaganza and book their Semi-Final berth by defeating Kalinga Lancers 6-0.
The Semifinals and finals will be played at the Astro Turf hockey stadium in Ranchi on the 20th and 21st February 2016.
The semifinal picture emerged after today’s match which is outlined below:
Despite being eventful, the first quarter ended with no team moving the scoreboard.
The second quarter started with the Delhi Waveriders looking to make inroads in the do or die battle and the first opportunity came in the 18th minute and Rupinder Pal Singh converted the penalty corner to give Delhi a 1-0 lead which remained intact till the half time.
The second half started with the Delhi Waveriders pressing hard. They got a penalty corner in the 33rd minute which Rupinder Pal Singh converted again. Delhi continued to attack, with the striking duo of Mandeep Singh and Talwinder Singh penetrating the circle with finesse. Meanwhile colt Harjeet Singh sent a good cross into D, which was tapped into the goal by Simon Child (4-0 in the 34th minute).
The fourth quarter started with Kalinga Lancers looking to bounce back in the match. The first penalty corner opportunity of the quarter came the away team’s way in the 49th minute but the home team goalkeeper Devan Manchester again denied them the chance to score. Delhi capitalised on a missed penalty corner by the visitors and Parvinder Singh made them pay with a field goal to take the score to 6-0 in the 56th minute.
The Coal India Goal of the Match award of INR 50,000 was presented to Simon Child (DWR)wwhile his teammate Devon Manchester won the Most Entertaining Player of the Match award. Rupinder Pal Singh (DWR)walked away with the Man of the Match award while Mandeep Singh, also from DWR won Hero Emerging Player of the Match award.