Punjab Warriors to go for a win over Ranchi Rhinos

Rhinos had beaten Warriors 2-1 at the latter's home, before the teams played out a 1-1 draw in Ranchi on Saturday. Warriors would be keen to settle the scores before the teams get ready for the knockout stages this weekend.

Having beaten by Rhinos at home, Warriors would try everything possible to avoid a repeat at Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium here tomorrow.

Both the teams might have already qualified for the semi-finals, but there is still a lot at stake. There is every chance that they could face each other in one of the two semi-finals on Saturday, and hence, both teams would like to treat this game as the dress rehearsal of the semi-final.

 

Had it not been due to Jaap Stockmann's outstanding performance under the bar on Saturday, Warriors could have easily conceded 4-5 goals against the Rhinos. And that means that the home team's defence has some scope to improve.

"Having already qualified for the semis allowed us to try out a few different combinations on the field," Warriors skipper Jamie Dwyer explained after Saturday's game.

Tomorrow's match gives them another and possibly last opportunity to do a few more experiments before they settle for their final combination for the knockout stage.

Rhinos, on the other hand, played without their influential skipper Rovers, who was ill, on Saturday. The visitors would hope to have him back, as they missed his creativity a lot against the Warriors.

Warriors created at least four-five penalty corners on Saturday, but despite having drag flickers like Rupinder Pal Singh and Christopher Crielo, were unable to convert even one. That is one thing the Warriors would like to improve upon before the knock-out stages.

SSC