Delhi favourites against Wizards, Ranchi take on Punjab
22 Feb 2014 7:06 AM IST
Going by form as well as reputation, Delhi Waveriders would start overwhelming favourites against Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the first semifinal of the second Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) here on Saturday.
The Waveriders, who lost to title holders Ranchi Rhinos in the summit clash last year at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium here, ended their league engagements on the second spot with 39 points from 10 games ahead of the Wizards.
The Wizards endured a mixed form this year and finished their league campaign on third position with 28 points from 10 matches. Having won seven, lost two and drawn one game, the Waveriders, however, had a much better outing in the league stages compared to the Wizards, who tasted just four victories in the tournament this year.
On head-to-head record this year, the Sardar Singh-led side has a better record than the Wizards. While the match between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw, the Waveriders recorded a close 4-3 win over the Wizards in their next meeting this year.
It will be a completely different ball game as there would be immense pressure on both the teams and a bad day in office would definitely ruin their title hopes.
Under new coach Cedric D’souza, the Delhi outfit has looked a formidable side. In young Yuvraj Walmiki, Akashdeep Singh, Talwinder Singh, Kiwi Simon Child and veteran Rajpal Singh, the Waveriders possess an energetic forwardline, which can create trouble for any team on its day.
The Waveriders’ midfield is led by the ever-reliable Sardar and Gurbaj Singh, while the backline will be manned by one of the world’s top goalkeepers in Nicolas Jacobi.
RANCHI VS WARRIORS
MUMBAI: Bolstered by a strong showing in the league stages, table-toppers Jaypee Punjab Warriors would look to continue their winning streak against defending champions Ranchi Rhinos when the two sides meet in the second semifinal.
Punjab Warriors had a dream campaign in the HHIL this year, having lost just one match so far, that too against Delhi Waveriders in the tournament-opener on January 25. After the initial hiccup, the Warriors won seven games while two ended in no result to draw curtains to their league engagements on top with 40 points from 10 games.
To add to it, the Warriors boast of a 100 per cent record against the Rhinos this year, having beaten the defending champions 4-2 and 3-2 in their two meetings.
On the other hand, the Rhinos’ campaign in the tournament has been far from impressive this year. The title holders won just four and lost five matches.
The Waveriders, who lost to title holders Ranchi Rhinos in the summit clash last year at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium here, ended their league engagements on the second spot with 39 points from 10 games ahead of the Wizards.
The Wizards endured a mixed form this year and finished their league campaign on third position with 28 points from 10 matches. Having won seven, lost two and drawn one game, the Waveriders, however, had a much better outing in the league stages compared to the Wizards, who tasted just four victories in the tournament this year.
On head-to-head record this year, the Sardar Singh-led side has a better record than the Wizards. While the match between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw, the Waveriders recorded a close 4-3 win over the Wizards in their next meeting this year.
It will be a completely different ball game as there would be immense pressure on both the teams and a bad day in office would definitely ruin their title hopes.
Under new coach Cedric D’souza, the Delhi outfit has looked a formidable side. In young Yuvraj Walmiki, Akashdeep Singh, Talwinder Singh, Kiwi Simon Child and veteran Rajpal Singh, the Waveriders possess an energetic forwardline, which can create trouble for any team on its day.
The Waveriders’ midfield is led by the ever-reliable Sardar and Gurbaj Singh, while the backline will be manned by one of the world’s top goalkeepers in Nicolas Jacobi.
RANCHI VS WARRIORS
MUMBAI: Bolstered by a strong showing in the league stages, table-toppers Jaypee Punjab Warriors would look to continue their winning streak against defending champions Ranchi Rhinos when the two sides meet in the second semifinal.
Punjab Warriors had a dream campaign in the HHIL this year, having lost just one match so far, that too against Delhi Waveriders in the tournament-opener on January 25. After the initial hiccup, the Warriors won seven games while two ended in no result to draw curtains to their league engagements on top with 40 points from 10 games.
To add to it, the Warriors boast of a 100 per cent record against the Rhinos this year, having beaten the defending champions 4-2 and 3-2 in their two meetings.
On the other hand, the Rhinos’ campaign in the tournament has been far from impressive this year. The title holders won just four and lost five matches.
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