Lucknow, 31 January 2014: Tomorrow will be another big day for the Hero Hockey India League when Ranchi Rhinos and Uttar Pradesh Wizards meet for the second time in the League. The Wizards are high on confidence by winning both their matches and will want to continue this form tomorrow. V R Raghutnath who as of now is the highest goal scorer in the season (4 goals) and post his hat-trick of goals in the last outing, he will want to continue his form tomorrow against the Rhinos. Sitting in the 4th position in the points table, Ranchi Rhinos on the other hand will have to live up to their defending champions tag to beat the Wizards in their home ground and this in a way will be sweet revenge for them.
While Uttar Pradesh Wizards though sitting in the 3rd position in the points table, with tomorrow’s win they have every chance to go to the second position (which will also depend post today’s match between DWR and JPW and taking into account the goal difference criteria). So while the Uttar Pradesh Wizards will be hoping they beat the Rhinos in succession, they will also be watching tonight’s game closely between Delhi Waveriders and Jaypee Warriors. The team will also look at being on the attack from the start of the game as they are well aware that Rhinos can take the game away from them if they falter anywhere.
Ranchi Rhinos on the other hand post playing two games could win only 1 against the Delhi Waveriders and they would like to beat the Wizards tomorrow and earn another 5 points, which will take them to the 3rd position in the points table. With this win either they can put the Wizards below them in the points table or have the same points as them (depending on the goal scoring difference post tomorrow’s match against each other).
So it’s a must win game for both as each will want to go ahead in the points table and make their position comfortable.
Speaking on tomorrow’s first match Captain V. R. Raghutnath, UP Wizards said “It’s a new day tomorrow and a new match for us. We will start fresh with positive attitude. We are very excited since it is our first home ground match of the season. We hope to put up a good match against Ranchi Rhinos for the sports lovers of Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh”.
Speaking during a press conference Head Coach Gregg Clark, Ranchi Rhinos said “post the hard fought win in our last match we are more focused and in a positive frame of mind and looking to win this match tomorrow.”
The match will be played at 3 pm tomorrow. With Star Sports as the official broadcasters for the League, Hockey fans can catch the excitement LIVE on the channel.
