Defending champions Delhi Waveriders were held to a 2-2 draw by Uttar Pradesh Wizards in a high-voltage Hero Hockey India league match at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here on Friday. After a barren first quarter, the opening goal of the match was scored in the second quarter when Uttar Pradesh Wizards were awarded a penalty stroke and Jeroen Hertzberger made no mistake from the opportunity.
Delhi Waveriders made a rapid comeback as Steven Edwards soon scored an equalizer in the same quarter, breaching the sturdy guard of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Despite a number of attempts by both the teams, no further goals were scored as they were levelled 1-1 at half time. Delhi Waveriders opened the third quarter with swift attacks while ensuring that the ball remained in their possession but that period did not yield any goal in either of the team's favour.
In the fourth quarter, Talwinder Singh sliced-in a beautiful field goal handing over the lead to the defending champions from Delhi. Unfazed by this, the home side managed to level the scoreline with another field goal that came from the stick of Ramandeep Singh. Delhi Waveriders were awarded a penalty corner in the dying minutes of the match but they could not utilise the chance.
Speaking after the match, Delhi Waveriders captain Sardar Singh said, “We have performed really well in the last two editions of the league and we want to continue the same. We made a good start today but because of a few mistakes the match ended in a draw. We will work on our mistakes and perform better in the next match.”
Mumbai, Punjab finishes 3-3
Mumbai: Hosts Dabang Mumbai and last year's runners-up Punjab Warriors played out an exciting 3-3 draw in their opening game at the Mahindra Stadium here on Friday. Mumbai went ahead twice only for Punjab to pull it back on both occasions and then the visitors took the lead through the first of two goals by India discard Sandeep Singh to raise visions of a Punjab come-from-behind win.
But the home team had other ideas as they scored in the final minute through Chinglensana Singh, his second goal of the game, to earn the draw. India junior Harmanpreet Singh cored the first goal for Mumbai from a penalty corner. The award came following an obstruction by Malak Singh who tripped ex-India player Arjun Halappa just inside the 25 yard line on the right and Harmanpreet's drag-flick beat Dutch great Jaap Stockman under the Punjab bar.
Crossing over, Punjab found the equaliser in the 33rd minute of the game when Jamie Dwyer took advantage of a weak clearance on the left and beat Mumbai goalie Harte with a rising shot to the far post. It was the home team that took the lead again against the run of play through Chinglensana whose top of circle shot brooked no stopping.
Off a penalty corner, Punjab were awarded a penalty stroke as Mumbai captain Vikram Pillay stopped the flick with his foot. Sandeep made amends by coming off the bench to find the mark to the right of Harte to make it 2-2. It was Sandeep again who raised visions of a win for Punjab when he beat Harte with his penalty corner shot in the 59th minute. With just a minute left, Harmanpreet provided a superb long-range diagonal for Chinglensana to deflect into the goal.