Bringing some radiant stick work into play, Uttar Pradesh Wizards trounce Kalinga Lancers 5-1 at Lucknow

Lucknow, 29 January 2015: Match IX of the ongoing Hero Hockey India League saw an awe-inspiring and spectacular game of hockey between the marvellous home team Uttar Pradesh Wizards and the talented Kalinga Lancers where the hosts defeated the visiting team by 5-1 today, at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Lucknow.

The first quarter of the game saw the home team being awarded with a penalty corner. V R Raghunath took the strike and without leaving any room for mistakes, very efficiently put the ball in the mesh. The ball swiftly passed through the sturdy guards of Kalinga Lancers’ goalkeeper Andrew Charter before touching the nets and announced an early lead of 1-0 for the Uttar Pradesh Wizards over Kalinga Lancers. Despite a number of scoring attempts by both the teams in the subsequent quarter, none could materialize the chances and the second quarter remained goal-less. The half time score was 1-0 with the home team in the lead.

Uttar Pradesh Wizards, with their brilliant man-to-man marking, were all over the Kalinga Lancers’ defence and maintained dominance in the game in the third quarter. Although no goals were scored in the third quarter, with some very good moves and maximum ball possession, the home team made their intentions of winning the game very loud and clear to the opponents.

The fourth quarter began on an exceptional high where Uttar Pradesh Wizards struck thrice within three minutes to soar up the score to 4-0, gaining insuperable lead over the Lancers. The second goal for the Wizards came from the stick of SK Uthappa, immediately followed by another field goal by Bob De Voogd and a quick next by Wouter Jolie. Russel Ford scored the lone goal for Kalinga Lancers in the dying moments of the game. Just before the final whistle, Uttar Pradesh Wizards got a penalty stroke and Jeroen Hertzberger flawlessly converted it into the fifth goal for the hosts, escalating the score to an insurmountable 5-1.

Hero Goal of the Match – Bob De Voogd.

Man of the Match – Wouter Jolie.

Today’s Result:

Uttar Pradesh Wizards: VR Raghunath (5 min), SK Uthappa (53 min), Bob De Voogd (54 min), Wouter Jolie (55 min), Jeroen Hertzberger (60 min)

Kalinga Lancers: Russel Ford (58 min)

Next Match on 30 Jan 2015:
MATCH: Delhi Waveriders Vs Jaypee Punjab Warriors
TIME: 1900 Hrs IST
VENUE: Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi
TELECAST: LIVE by Star Sports 2 Star Sports 3