Delhi Waveriders beat Ranchi Rays 2-0 in HIL

Defending champions Delhi Waveriders came out strongly to earn a comprehensive 2-0 win over Ranchi Rays in a Hero Hockey India League (HIL) encounter at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Saturday.

Two field goals from Lloyd Norris-Jones (26th minute) and Akashdeep Singh (53rd) sealed the deal for the home team that solidified their position in the standings. Five points from the match meant that they are strongly positioned at fourth with 22 points.

On the other hand, though the Rays lost, they got two points for losing by two goals or less which helped them earn two points to go top of the table with 31, ahead of Jaypee Punjab Warriors.

The first quarter was totally dominated by the Rays who kept most of the possession. Though the Waveriders' defence was under pressure but it did not crumble as the game was more or less played in their half.

However, some good passing enabled the visitors to finally earn a penalty corner. But a straight hit to the Waveriders' German custodian Nicolas Jacobi diminished any chance of Rays taking the lead and the match remained goalless at the end of the first quarter.

The hosts came out stronger in the second quarter and this time they dominated possession. Though Waveriders captain Sardar Singh did not look in his prime, his boys did a good job of fluently passing the ball to each other.

Their hard work finally bore fruit when South African Norris-Jones provided the nudge required to see the ball enter the Rays goal in the 26th minute as Waveriders went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

The third quarter was more or less about counter-attacks as the defence of both the sides blunted any attack of their opponents. A couple of penalty corners were also earned by both teams but they were wasted.

Rays goalkeeper Tyler Lovell, however, stood out with a brilliant performance. His most stunning stop came in the last minute of the third quarter when drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh tried to slide past the ball during a penalty corner. Tyler stuck out his leg acrobatically to make a stunning save.

The last quarter looked like it was going to go goalless until Akashdeep Singh struck a brilliant reverse-flick goal in the 53rd minute to put the game beyond the reach of the Ranchi-based team.

The score remained the same till the hooter, handing Waveriders their third victory in eight outings.

Waveriders defender Rupinder was awarded the Man-of-the-Match.

Waveriders take on Kalinga Lancers here Sunday, while Rays will next be in action in their 10th and final league match against Warriors at Mohali Tuesday.