The third week of action from the Hero Hockey India League proved to be just as fascinating as the previous two, with Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Ranchi Rays now leading the charge at the top of the league table ahead of the upcoming semi-finals.
The Wizards had a great week by claiming two victories over Dabang Mumbai, putting them at the top of the league table on goal difference ahead of Ranchi Rays. Netherlands star Bob de Voogd scored twice for the Wizards in a 5-1 triumph away from home on Wednesday (11th Feb) while strikes from Australia’s Tim Deavin, team captain Arjun Halappa and Anup Valmiki proved to be enough for a 3-2 home win on Sunday (15th Feb).
The Rays produced an outstanding performance on Tuesday (10th Feb) to inflict a first defeat of the season on Jaypee Punjab Warriors, who were missing the brilliance of five times FIH Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer. Team captain Ashley Jackson was among the match scorers, although the Rays failed to capitalize on their success by losing 2-0 at Sardar Singh’s Delhi Waveriders on Saturday (14 Feb).
The Warriors, who had dominated the first two weeks of competition play, are currently third in the table but are only one point behind both the Wizards and the Rays with a game in hand. Victories in their upcoming home matches against the Rays and Dabang Mumbai would be enough to seal top spot in the league and set up a semi-final meeting against Sardar Singh’s Delhi Waveriders, who are now certain to finish fourth in the table despite their recent surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of fifth-placed Kalinga Lancers. Delhi Waveriders and UP Wizards face each other on Wednesday (18 Feb).
The semi-finals take place on Saturday 21st February, with the first match being played between the teams that finish first and fourth in the league table. That match will be followed by the second semi-final, which features the second and third ranked teams. The third place and title matches will take place on Sunday 22nd February.
You can keep track of all the action from the Hero Hockey India League on the official tournament websiteand on their Twitterand Facebook social media channels. To see the star-studded squad lists, click the links below.
Dabang Mumbai
Delhi Waveriders
Jaypee Punjab Warriors
Kalinga Lancers
Ranchi Rays
Uttar Pradesh Wizards
