Waveriders slip for once
In a match of mathematical interest — to decide the semi-final lineup of the inaugural Hockey India League — Uttar Pradesh Wizards beat Delhi Waveriders 4-1 in the two teams’ final league encounter at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Thursday.
The loss finally brought an end to the hosts’ 11-match unbeaten streak but given that there was not much at stake on the day — both the teams were already through to the last four — Delhi will take the result happily.
The Wizards struck through Jeroen Hertzberger (39th), S.K. Uthappa (49), Pradhan Somanna (56th) and M. Gunasekar (64th), while the Waveriders’ response came from Andrew Hayward.
Table toppers Delhi ended the league stage with 49 points from 12 matches and will face fourth-placed Punjab Warriors in the semi-finals, while UP, who went third following this win, will clash with the Ranchi Rhinos.
The Wizards needed a win to avoid the league leaders in the semis clash. And barring the first quarter — when they looked off-colour — UP played an attacking game.
On the day, Delhi decided to field most of their key players only in short bursts. Gauging that Delhi weren’t going all out on the day, UP took to attack, and were rewarded in the final two quarters.
The game’s first move of note came in the 22nd minute, when Wizards’ strikers Teun de Nooijer and Jeroen Hertzberger combined well, only to see a neat clearance from hosts’ Gurbaj Singh,
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute. Hertzberger’s powerful shot from the top of the circle went flying past Delhi goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi to make it 1-0.
UP pumped in two more goals soon after, but Delhi seemed content to play a relaxed game. The game picked up pace in the final quarter, with both teams scoring once each.
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