HHIL Match 4: In the clash of titans, Ranchi emerge winners

Home team Ranchi Rhinos woke up in time after suffering a humiliating defeat yesterday, registering a 1-0 win against visitors Delhi Waveriders here in Ranchi today.

The Rhinos, who had defeated the ‘invincible’ Waveriders in the final last year, waged a grim battle today swimming against full throat home crowd.

Rhinos were on attack from the beginning when Barry Middleton entered the rival D, but his attempts proved futile as there were no players to take his cross. Kothajit and Austin Smith too tried to tumble Waveriders’ defense but lack of co-ordination resulted in no goal.

Delhi Waveriders on the other hand, managed a Penalty Corner at the end of the first quarter. However, drag-flick expert Rupinder Pal Singh failed to convert as the ball was palmed away by the ultimate man of the match, goalie Franscisco Cortes.

The second Penalty Corner of Delhi also fizzled out as Talwinder Singh, could not push the ball to the stopper. It was rank bad push.

The Rhinos were not impressive either as their continuous attack failed to yield any results. Their first Penalty Corner was wasted as Ashley Jackson hit the ball a few inches wide from the goalpost.

The match went on in the same pace as attack by both teams hardly impressed the scoreboard.

However, the turning point was the Penalty Corner in the 63rd minute which Ashley Jackson took and flicked the ball into the nets to the goalie’s right side.

As the clocked ticked closer to the final minutes of the game, Delhi looked desperate and managed to get their third Penalty Corner. This time, Andreas Mir Bel took the task but he too missed the nets as his shot would go wide.