Delhi Waveriders play 2-2 draw with Ranchi Rhinos

By Biswajyoti Brahma, TNN | Jan 31, 2013, 02.22 AM IST

Delhi Waveriders’ next match, an away one, is also against the Rhinos on Friday. (TOI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Their earlier match against Ranchi Rhinos in the Hockey India League (HIL) had been hailed as the “best match of the tournament” by Delhi Waveriders captain Sardar Singh. Delhi had prevailed 5-4 in that pulsating encounter in Ranchi, raising expectations of the crowd ahead of the second encounter between the top two teams in the league.

The fans were not disappointed as both teams played a fast-paced match which was laced with individual brilliance at the National Stadium on Wednesday. It ended in a deadlock at 2-2. It was the Waveriders’ second draw in the tournament, their first at home. They have already reached the semifinals and the draw, for which they got two points, took their tally to 34 from eight matches, five clear of Ranchi who have played the same number of games.

The way Rhinos started the match was clear indication of their intent that they were eager to go all out to hand Delhi their first defeat of the tournament. They started in an attacking style, forcing Delhi to play cautiously in the first quarter. In fact, Delhi could not make a single serious attempt at their rival’s post in this period.

Ranchi Rhinos took the lead in the 15th minute when Floris Evers combined with Ashley Jackson to set it up for Justine Reid Ross who made no mistake in putting it past goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi, who otherwise had a great match making several good saves. Delhi upped the ante after the break and did not have to wait for long as Gurbaj Singh’s cross from the left was inadvertently deflected in by a Ranchi defender in the 19th minute.

Delhi were lucky not to have conceded the lead a minute later as Prabhdeep Singh’s shot hit the post.

As both the teams tried hard to break the deadlock, Oscar Deecke took the ball near the rival ‘D’ following an impressive move and followed it up with a powerful shot which was tapped in by Yuvraj Walmiki in the 53rd minute, much to the joy of the home supporters.

As Delhi moved in for the kill, Vikas Chaudhury surprised the hosts by collecting the ball near the Delhi circle before passing it on to an unmanned Evers. The Dutchman slammed home to help his team draw level.

Delhi’s next match, an away one, is also against the Rhinos on Friday.

Delhi coach AK Bansal said he was happy with the result. “The draw is good since it would stop the team from getting complacent. It will help the players pull up their socks.”

Ranchi captain Moritz Furste felt that the hosts were a bit lucky to draw the match.