Uttar Pradesh Wizards produced a scintillating performance to beat two-time title holders Ranchi Rays 4-0 and jump to the third spot in the points table of the Hockey India League here today.
Field goals by Seve van Ass (37th minute) and Akashdeep Singh (60th) sealed the much-needed five points for the home side. The result kept UP Wizards in the hunt for the semifinals.
When the two teams met earlier in the league, they split points with a 0-0 draw in Ranchi.
Placed at the bottom of the table, and three more games left in the pool stage, it was a must-win game for the home side to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
While both the teams went into the first break locked in a stalemate, Uttar Pradesh Wizards got off the blocks in the second quarter pressing hard in the circle and it paid off when they won the first penalty corner in the 19th minute.
But the chance went begging when Argentine drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat's strike was padded away by Ranchi Rays' goalkeeper Tyler Lovell.
Arthur van Doren fetched the home team their second penalty corner in the 26th minute but captain V R Raghunath's flick was blocked by Ranchi Rays' first rusher Manpreet Singh. The first half ended with the score reading 0-0.
A sloppy defence at the heart of the striking circle saw Ranchi Rays concede a field goal when Seve van Ass was left unmarked. The Dutchman made no mistake in taking advantage of the opportunity as he tapped the ball past Tyler Lovell in the 37th minute, giving the home team a 2-0 lead.
Ranchi Rays came close to equalising in the 40th minute when Flynn Ogilvie took a shot at the post after a good assist by Timothy Deavin but an alert P R Sreejesh ensured that the Uttar Pradesh Wizards kept the lead.
The final quarter witnessed the Ranchi Rays hold much of the ball possession but they also lost their video referral when they asked for a penalty corner due to a stick tackle in the circle but the referral went against them.
Uttar Pradesh Wizards' defence was rock solid today as they denied the visitors any chance of scoring though the Ranchi Rays had as many as 12 circle entries.
Akashdeep Singh struck another field goal with just seconds to go for the final hooter to give his side a 4-0 win.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
