<p>The second edition of the Hero Hockey India League will get underway on Saturday with Jaypee Punjab Warriors taking on Delhi Waveriders in the opening match at the newly-built International Hockey Stadium here under lights.<br /><br /></p>.<p>With the winner taking home a whooping Rs 2.5 crore, and the runner-up getting Rs 1.25 crore, there is a lot at stake for teams to win the tournament and both Punjab and Delhi would aim to begin the tournament on a winning note.<br /><br />In the previous edition of the HIL, the two teams faced each other in the semifinal, in which Delhi defeated Punjab 3-1. However, Delhi Waveriders finished runners-up, losing the final to title winners Ranchi Rhinos.<br /><br />In the bronze medal match, Punjab Warriors lost 4-3 in dramatic fashion to Uttar Pradesh Wizards, after leading 3-0.<br /><br />Punjab Warriors have a good mix of young and experienced players. Their overseas squad comprises primarily Australian players, with captain Jamie Dwyer being the leader.<br /><br />With Dutch goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann and experienced players like Ignace Tirkey and Mark Knowles in their ranks, Punjab boasts of a strong defensive line-up. Also, the strong presence of Dwyer in the midfield will allow Punjab to revolve their play around the experienced captain.<br /><br />Punjab’s forwardline consists of players like Shivendra Singh, SV Sunil, Dharamvir Singh and a youngster Affan Yousuf, who possess the ability to torment any opposition’s defence. With the highly experienced Barry Dancer and Jagbir Singh in their think-tank, Punjab will have strategies in place before the first game. <br /><br />The highest goal-scorer of the 2013 edition of HIL, Sandeep Singh, was added to the Punjab Warrior’s squad during the auction last year.<br /><br />A fine penalty-corner specialist with loads of experience, Sandeep Singh is surely the player to watch out for not only in the first game, but the entire tournament.<br /></p>
<p>The second edition of the Hero Hockey India League will get underway on Saturday with Jaypee Punjab Warriors taking on Delhi Waveriders in the opening match at the newly-built International Hockey Stadium here under lights.<br /><br /></p>.<p>With the winner taking home a whooping Rs 2.5 crore, and the runner-up getting Rs 1.25 crore, there is a lot at stake for teams to win the tournament and both Punjab and Delhi would aim to begin the tournament on a winning note.<br /><br />In the previous edition of the HIL, the two teams faced each other in the semifinal, in which Delhi defeated Punjab 3-1. However, Delhi Waveriders finished runners-up, losing the final to title winners Ranchi Rhinos.<br /><br />In the bronze medal match, Punjab Warriors lost 4-3 in dramatic fashion to Uttar Pradesh Wizards, after leading 3-0.<br /><br />Punjab Warriors have a good mix of young and experienced players. Their overseas squad comprises primarily Australian players, with captain Jamie Dwyer being the leader.<br /><br />With Dutch goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann and experienced players like Ignace Tirkey and Mark Knowles in their ranks, Punjab boasts of a strong defensive line-up. Also, the strong presence of Dwyer in the midfield will allow Punjab to revolve their play around the experienced captain.<br /><br />Punjab’s forwardline consists of players like Shivendra Singh, SV Sunil, Dharamvir Singh and a youngster Affan Yousuf, who possess the ability to torment any opposition’s defence. With the highly experienced Barry Dancer and Jagbir Singh in their think-tank, Punjab will have strategies in place before the first game. <br /><br />The highest goal-scorer of the 2013 edition of HIL, Sandeep Singh, was added to the Punjab Warrior’s squad during the auction last year.<br /><br />A fine penalty-corner specialist with loads of experience, Sandeep Singh is surely the player to watch out for not only in the first game, but the entire tournament.<br /></p>