Two compact and cutting edge teams in the Coal India Hockey India League, Jaypee Punjab Warriors and Uttar Pradesh Wizards, will set Sector 42 Hockey Stadium turf on fire on Thursday at hockey’s heartland Chandigarh.
Jaypee Punjab Warriors stunned the Delhi Waveriders with a methodical approach and a clinical finish on Tuesday. Warriors converted their first three penalty corners immaculately on their way to a fluent 5-2 victory against Delhi. The morale of the Punjab team is high after the stellar show they put up against the packed home stands of Waveriders fans.
As I said earlier, Warriors have in their ranks the most experienced Indian players, who have played the world’s top tournaments. Their experience, enterprise and enigma ensure such away-from-home victories. However, the teams in the HIL are so well balanced that even Warriors has had to face defeat twice. With three wins and two loses, they will work towards consolidating their win and the gains from Delhi on Thursday.
At the same time, and in a striking similarity, struggling Uttar Pradesh Wizards would like to build on their own recent success in Delhi. VR Raghunath’s boys had a stunning match on Sunday at Shivaji Stadium. They reversed the trend for their own betterment. V Raghunath himself set the tune with a penalty corner goal, and then 36-year old Jamie Dwyer and much younger Chinglensana Singh stuck a goal apiece. Elegant vibes of experience and exuberance combined in this thrilling show. This is the Uttar Pradesh Wizards’ strength.
Raghu’s dashing charges during penalty corner drills and the equal athleticism from the ever-reliable PR Sreejesh helped them get over three home match loses.
There is much fare in store for fans from this part of India. A great salute for the Coal India HIL, which is truly pan-India in its construct and appeal. Hope the IT-crazy South catches up.
field goal rule not good: Ashley
Mumbai: Britain star and Ranchi Rays skipper Ashley Jackson said on Wednesday that HIL’s rule of counting a field goal as two should not be implemented in internationals. “The rule of field goal counted as two (here in HIL) will not be good for the international game. I do not endorse it. We are seeing it for the first time here in HIL,” Jackson said. “We can see that teams in the current edition are focusing on defence.”