Waveriders score exciting win over Kalinga Lancers
NEW DELHI: The Sunday crowd at the Shivaji Stadium went home a satisfied lot after Delhi Waveriders overcame Kalinga Lancers 4-2 (6-4 on points) in a Hockey India League match. After winning Wednesday’s tie against Uttar Pradesh Wizards, the Waveriders’ overall showing gave a glimpse of their resolve to fight to the end. Despite trailing the Lancers by two goals and with time running out, their captain Rupinder Pal Singh raised the level of his game, converting a penalty corner to draw parity (4-all on points).
With less than two minutes remaining, and the near-packed stadium waiting with bated breath, Mandeep exhibited good stick-work inside the circle and weaved past Lancers’ defence to beat goalkeeper AK Pandey, to score the winning goal.
The Waveriders weren’t overawed by the reputation of their opponents, currently placed second. After narrowly missing at least three goal-scoring opportunities, Talwinder Singh set the scoreboard moving with a superb field goal in the ninth minute.
The fact that the Waveriders earned eight penalty corners was proof of their domination. However, they could convert only two, hinted at a poor conversion rate. Justin Reid Ross, though, converted in the 29th minutes make it 2-0.
The Lancers failed miserably to gel as a unit on Sunday in the opening two quarters. Their captain Moritz Fuerste, an experienced German player, was found wanting on several occasions.