UP Wizards stun Rhinos

Uttar Pradesh Wizards twice came from behind to stun defending champions Ranchi Rhinos 3-2 in their opening match of the Hero Hockey India League, here on Sunday. 

It was the hosts who took the lead in the fourth minute through their star striker Mandeep Singh who found himself at the right place at the right time to slot the ball home. 

The Rhinos were the aggressive among the two sides and controlled the proceedings in the early part of the match. But the Wizards did not sit back and equalised in the 10th minute through Nikkin Thimmaiah who deflected home after trapping the ball at the goalmouth.

The Wizards got a golden opportunity to take the lead minutes later from their first penalty corner but Francisco Cortes came up with a fine save to deny captain VR Raghunath and both the teams ended the first quarter of 17-and-a-half minutes tied at 1-1.

In the second quarter, both the teams tried hard and were able to create a few bright opportunities but they failed to convert the chances.