HIL 2016 Semifinals: Form deserts Ranchi Rays while Punjab into its third final
Pool toppers and defending champions Ranchi Rays met their nemesis today in the semifinal when they lost their form to Kalinga Lancers, whom they beat twice in the run up, in a nail baiting encounter to end up losers (4-6).
Earlier, Jaypee Punjab Warriors made it to the Sunday final after defeating Delhi Waveriders 1-3. Arman Qureshi’s field goal and Simon Orchard’s penalty corner goal stood the test of time to lone strike by Rupinder Pal Singh.
Credit to the hosts Ranchi Rays, they struck twice in the last two minutes to even out leading Kalinga and force the second semis to shoot out. Otherwise the new power Kalinga was just a minute away from their maiden finals entry with a 2-1 lead.
Ever working Ashley Jackson strove hard to earn a penalty with less than a minute before the full time, conversion of which led to heart breaking penalty shoot out.
Its here its reliable duo Ashley Jackson and Barry Middleton flopped with their quota of shooting.
Australia’s Andrew Charter under the bar would not yield. Starting from just then yellow carded Moritz Fuerste, all the four did not falter.
The shoot out score ended 4-2 in favour of the visitors.
Kalinga Lancers in fact surprised the defending champions with good ball control in the first quarter and then took the lead with Gurjinder Singh striking off an early penalty corner.
Ranchi Rays could not alter the 1-0 score till in the last four minutes, for Ashley Jackson was not in his elements with first four penalty corners. Over reliance on him proved disaster for the Ranchis.
However, he showed his class when he with a body swerve sold a dummy to offer the ball to Trent Mitton in a set piece drill to bemuse Andrew Charter (1-1).
In the same minute, Glenn Turner turned the tide in favour of Kalinga. He tapped in a penalty rebound to take lead again (2-1).
In the last minute, hardworking Timothy Devin even out using the team’s last penalty corer (2-2).
The Kalinga Lancers — Jaypee Punjab Warriors final will be scheduled for 5:30 pm and the 3rd/4th place playoff at 3:00 PM tomorrow.
Awards:
The Coal India Goal of the Match: Trent Mitton (Ranch Rays).
The Hero Emerging Player of the Match: Matthew Dawson (Kalinga Lancers).
The Most Entertaining player of the match: Lalit Upadhyay (Kalinga Lancers).
The Man of the match: Moritz Fuerste (Kalinga Lancers).