Ranchi Rays eye top spot in the pool table as it meets Delhi Waveriders tomorrow

New Delhi, 13 February 2015: With a secured berth in the semi finals of the Hero Hockey India League 2015, Ranchi Rays will play against Delhi Waveriders in their next match at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi tomorrow. While Delhi Waveriders will be looking to encash this opportunity to the maximum in order to strengthen their position in the league, Ranchi Rays will aim for a win with an intention to ascend to the top of the points table.

Last time the two teams met the match was drawn at 2-2. While it was Delhi Waveriders which had opened the match strongly, Ranchi Rays came back into the game and ensured that they drew the match. Tomorrow both the teams will look at completing what was left unfinished in their last meeting.

The Harendra Singh coached team has dished out some brilliant and consistent performances in the previously played matches and intends to carry on with similar energy and zeal in the impending games as well. The Captain of the Rays -Ashley Jackson is presently the joint top goal scorer of the League, with a total of eight goals and will step out on the Delhi turf with a motivation to add a few more goals to his tally and continue inspiring his boys.

Delhi Waveriders, on the contrary, has only a couple of wins at this time and will play the next game with an objective to improve their standing and gain the additional five points for itself. The team, led by Indian skipper Sardar Singh, will have the benefit of their home turf with their confidence being shored up by the enthusiastic domicile crowd. The team has worked on their attacking strategies and circle penetration, which was evident in their last match against the Kalinga Lancers at Bhubaneswar, and are a better, improved side in the League now. The Waveriders will play at their best tomorrow, employing their finest tactics to create maximum scoring prospects and will look at securing a victory at home.

What coaches and captains have to say:

Head Coach of Ranchi Rays, Harendra Singh : “The team is in an excellent form at the moment and absolutely ready to take on Delhi Waveriders in the next match. Though Delhi is a tough team we will be looking forward at penetrating their defence line-up and creating as many scoring opportunities as we can. The sole intention is to win this game and climb up to the first position in the League table.”

Captain of Ranchi Rays, Ashley Jackson : “Delhi Waveriders’ defence is strong and hence we have to keep the pressure on them and earn our penalty corners. Their defence gets beefed up with Nicolas Jacobi back in the team and we are working on our strategy to counter him. We are confident for a win but we are not taking them lightly.”

Head Coach of Delhi Waveriders, Cedric D’Souza : “The competition is getting tougher with every match as we can see all the teams are targeting to win every match hereon. We anticipate a good game tomorrow and will put in our best efforts to win this match.”

Captain of Delhi Waveriders Sardar Singh : “With every team playing with their best players and strategies, the competition is really tough but we have a good team which will act as a benefit for us. We have worked on our loopholes and I am sure the Waveriders will now perform the way we have been performing in the last two seasons. We are still in the race for semi finals and will play against Ranchi Rays to win this game.”

Match on 14 February 2015
MATCH : Ranchi Rays Vs Delhi Waveriders
TIME: 1900 Hrs IST
VENUE: Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, New Delhi
TELECAST: LIVE by Star Sports 2 Star Sports 3