Amidst rainy weather and cold breeze, the fight for Hockey India league’s (HIl) second edition final match for fourth and third positions commenced between Ranchi Rhinos (RR) and Uttar Pradesh Wizards (UPW) on Sunday. After scoring a Tie-Breaker of 1-1 goal, the teams had a shootout in which Rhinos won and became the bronze holder with three goals.
RR wanted a referral in the initial minute of the first quarter which resulted to their first Penalty Corner. UPW’s Forward N Thimmaiah earned the first green card of this match representing their team. Simultaneously, Captain Raghunath RV scored the first goal. This was his eighth goal here. After a slow stick approach, Rhinos gripped their activated form in the second quarter wherein Midfielder Manpreet Singh stroke the first goal of his team. It was the 150th goal of this entire hockey league.
By the Half Time, the climate turned pleasant and the crowd gradually increased. The luck favoured Rhinos in the third quarter where Ashley Jackson marked the first Green Card for his team in somehow attempt to fasten the match spirit. The fourth quarter was not pleasing as the locals shouted Hay Hay Ranchi. UPW made their second Penalty Corner here and got a referral.
Indian Premier league Chairman Rajeev Shukla and Arun Jaitley, the Senior Vice President of Hockey India as well as Board of Control for Cricket in India International Hockey Federation officials besides Hockey India ones were among the prominent guests here. The match went to a Tie Breaker so the teams were given Shoot Out opportunity. Forwards had to strike goal in a span of eight minutes. Rhinos ultimately with the help of its Forwards Ashley, Captain Moritz and Barry Middleton won the third postion of this professional tournament proving their ability of being awarded with Rs 75 lakh.
Ranchi boy cum player of this team who had been a strength holder since the beginning of this league was declared as ‘Man of the Match’. Key players Austin and Mandeep remained absent from this final tour due to their injuries in the initial matches.