JOIN USDelhi Waveriders will lock horns with Jaypee Punjab Warriors in the summit clash of the second edition of Hero Hockey India League after registering hard-fought victories in their respective semifinals.
The Waveriders rode on Yuvraj Walmiki’s lone goal to beat Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the first semifinal on Saturday, before dragflicker Sandeep Singh struck twice to hand Warriors a 3-2 win in the high-voltage second last-four match to dash the hopes of defending champions Ranchi Rhinos in front of a packed stadium.
If the first semifinal was a quiet affair, the second semifinal between the Rhinos and the Warriors produced fast and exciting hockey, much to the delight of the capacity crowd.
It was Sandeep (24th minute, 52nd minute) who converted a couple of short corners for Warriors while Jake Whetton (55th) scored a classy field goal with a powerful strike from top right of the D to help his team register a come-from-behind win.
The two goals consolidated Sandeep’s lead at the top of the goalscorers’ chart with a tally of 11.
For the Rhinos, Ashley Jackson converted a penalty corner in the 19th minute while the other goal was scored by Floris Evers (58th). uch was the intensity of the match, that Rhinos’ Manpreet Singh and Warriors Gurmail Singh literally came to blows in the final quarter.
The Warriors also need to thank their goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann for the win as he made a brilliant save in the final minute. Just seconds before the final hooter the Rhinos earned their third penalty corner and Jackson stood up to take the shot. But Stockmann was alert to the occasion, diving to his right to save to deny Jackson.
Earlier, Walmiki scored the all-important goal in the 15th minute to guide Delhi Waveriders to the summit clash.
The only difference between the two sides in the evenly-matched affair was that Waveriders made use of an early chance, whereas the Wizards were guilty of wasting innumerable goal-scoring opportunities.