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- Delhi Waveriders
New Delhi, 6 February 2014: Last year’s runners-up Delhi Waveriders rode on Yuvraj Walmiki‘s late strike out a hard-fought 2-1 win over Dabur Mumbai Magicians and consolidate their first position in the points table of the Hero Hockey India League 2014 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi today.
After a relatively quiet start, the match gathered pace in the second half as both the teams displayed fine exhibition of hockey.
But the match witnessed a sedate start and was devoid of any real action on the turf in the first quarter as the two teams took time to settle down.
The match, however, suddenly livened up in the second quarter with Delhi Waveriders doing bulk of the attacking and from one such attack broke the deadlock in the 20th minute through young Akashdeep Singh.
An unmarked Akashdeep scored with a reverse shot past Dabur Mumbai Magicians goalie David Harte after he was set up by Lloyd Norris Jones brilliant run from his own half.
Dabur Mumbai Magicians came out completely a different side in the second half and outplayed Delhi Waveriders in terms of ball possession and attacks.
The visitors mounted constant raids with some impressive build ups to make life difficult for Delhi Waveriders defense. Dabur Mumbai Magicians persistent efforts bore fruit in the 49th minute when skipper Glenn Turner equalised on the rebound after Waveriders goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi saved the first attempt.
Delhi Waveriders earned the only penalty corner of the match in the 58th minute but Rupinderpal Singh’s try was saved by a diving Magicians goalie Harte.
Yuvraj Walmiki from Delhi Waveriders, scored the winner just four minutes from the final hooter, neatly deflecting home a cross from the sideline to send the home crowd into frenzy.
The win gave Delhi Waveriders five points and consolidated their position at the top of the standings with 24 points from seven games.
Dabur Mumbai Magicians, on the other hand, are still searching for their first win in the tournament after having already played five games.
Delhi Waveriders will next play Uttar Pradesh Wizards at Lucknow on Saturday, while the Dabur Mumbai Magicians will host Jaypee Punjab Warriors at Mumbai on the same day.
Hero Goal of the match winner – Yuvraj Walmiki
YES Bank Garv Award winner – Akashdeep Singh
Man of the Match – Nicolas Jacobi
Speaking on the performance Glenn Turner, Captain, Dabur Mumbai Magicians said “I am disappointed at the way we played today. Delhi Waveriders is a good team. We put a lot of pressure on them today and managed to control them in the entire game but we lost it in the last few minutes of the game. We still have chances to make it to the semi finals, just that we need to play well and win them.”
Speaking on the performance MK Kaushik, Coach, Dabur Mumbai Magicians said “the team is improving by each game. While the first and second quarter was dominated by us we made a lot of mistakes in the later part of the same and lost couple of chances which costed us the game today. In forthcoming matches we will work on the loopholes and play to win”.
Speaking on the performance Sardar Singh, Captain, Delhi Waveriders said “like last year we are now realizing that we are coming back in the game slowly. We will further improve on our next game against the Uttar Pradesh Wizards. We will ensure that we strengthen our penalty corner chances”.
Speaking on the performance Cedric D’Souza, Coach, Delhi Waveriders said “we will fight every game till the last minute and hoping to win further matches. Dabur Mumbai Magicians played good hockey against Ranchi Rhinos in their last game and today even they gave a good fight. Every team is getting better and stronger as the League is progressing in its final stages. This team is also showing improvements and getting better by each game”.
POINTS TABLE
Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
1 | Delhi Waveriders | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 24 |
2 | Jaypee Punjab Warriors | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 18 |
3 | Uttar Pradesh Wizards | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 15 |
4 | Ranchi Rhinos | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
5 | Dabur Mumbai Magicians | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
6 | Kalinga Lancers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
