Bolstered by a strong showing in the league stages, table-toppers Jaypee Punjab Warriors would look to continue their winning streak against defending champions Ranchi Rhinos when the two sides meet in the second semifinal here Punjab Warriors had a dream campaign in the HHIl this year, having lost just one match so far, that too against Delhi Waveriders in the tournament-opener on January 25.
After the initial hiccup, the Warriors won seven games while two ended in no result to draw curtains to their league engagements on top with 40 points from 10 games. To add to it, the Warriors boast of a 100 per cent record against the Rhinos this year, having beaten the defending champions 4-2 and 3-2 in their two meetings. So understandably, the Warriors would approach Saturday’s crucial match high on confidence against a side which has looked a pale shadow of itself this year.
The Warriors forwardline will be led by the inspirational and FIH play of the year award winner Jamie Dwyer of Australia. Apart from Dwyer, the Warriors striking force includes a mixed bag of youth and experience like Affan Yousuf, Gurmail Singh, Malak Singh, Dharamvir Singh, S V Sunil, Shivendra Singh and Australian Kieran Govers among others. The Warriors also have a dangerous penalty corner specialist in Sandeep Singh, while the goal will be manned by none other than world’s best goalkeeper Jaap Stockmaan of The Netherlands.
On the other hand, the Rhinos’ campaign in the tournament has been far from impressive this year. The title holders won just four and lost five matches while one ended in draw to finish the league stages at the fourth position with just 26 points. But the Rhinos know it very well that it will be a completely new game and if they can post a win against the Warriors, the results of the league stages will be a thing of the past.
The Rhinos can also take heart from the fact that the entire stadium will be rooting their every move on Saturday. But to upset the Warriors, the Rhinos star players in captain Moritz Furste, Justin Reid-Ross, Floris Evers, Ashley Jackson, Birendra lakra, Barry Middleton and Manpreet Singh will have to rise to the occasion. Match starts at 7.30 PM.