Wizards hold Waveriders to draw in high-voltage encounter

Defending champions Delhi Waveriders were held to a 2-2 draw by Uttar Pradesh Wizards in a high-voltage Hockey India League match at Major Dhyan Chand stadium on Friday.

After a barren first quarter, the opening goal of the match was scored in the second quarter when Uttar Pradesh Wizards were awarded a penalty stroke and Jeroen Hertzberger made no mistake from the opportunity. Delhi Waveriders made a rapid comeback as Steven Edwards soon scored a leveller in the same quarter, breaching the sturdy guard of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Despite a number of attempts by both teams, no further goals were scored till the half-time.

Waveriders opened the third quarter with swift attacks while ensuring that the ball remained in their possession but that period did not yield any goal in either of the team’s favour. In the fourth quarter, Talwinder Singh sliced-in a beautiful field goal handing over the lead to the defending champions from Delhi. Unfazed by this, the home side managed to level the score with another field goal that came from the stick of Ramandeep Singh.