UP’s wizardry to be tested by Waveriders
BUSINESS END As HIL enters the knockout phase with the semifinals, Sardar Singh is expected to be the star attraction
RANCHI: A big game of hockey always ensures a full house at the Morabadi astro-turf stadium. This trend is unlikely to change when the Hockey India League (HIL) semifinals take place here on Saturday.
While last year’s runners-up Delhi Waveriders take on a spirited Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the first game, hosts and defending champions Ranchi Rhinos will lock horns with Punjab Warriors in the second game. Given their track record, the Sardar Singh-led Waveriders will start favourites against the Wizards, but at the same time, the Lucknow-based team will be banking on their performance in the league phase. They had split points in the first game in Delhi before losing the return leg 3-4 in Lucknow.
“It all depends how we play tomorrow. We’ve had close games against the Waveriders,” said Wizards captain VR Raghunath, adding, “We are eager to prove a point and I am looking forward to a good show.” Coach Roelant Oltmans said, “It’s going to be a match between equal teams. We have to be positive and ensure we don’t miss chances.”
Unlike others in the fray, the Ranchi Rhinos had a mediocre run in the league phase this season as they finished fourth on the points’ table. Notwithstanding the unimpressive run, they are upbeat about toppling the Punjab Warriors in the other semifinal.
“We have a very important game. We need to forget how we have played so far and play with a new vision tomorrow,” said Rhinos captain Moritz Furste. “We have some plans to execute against the table toppers tomorrow.”
TURF WOES
It’s official. Uttar Pradesh Wizards is planning to move out of its home ground —the Guru Govind Singh Sports College — from next year because of the pathetic state of the astro-turf.
Even in the first edition of the HIL last year, most teams faced problems dealing with uneven bounce and the cracks that developed in the penalty circle on both sides. This season, too, teams were unhappy with the uneven bounce.