HIL: Delhi Waveriders held by Kalinga Lancers

Lancer successfully held the Waverider to a 2-2 draw

Hoping to seal a full point to fancy their chances of making it to the semifinals, Delhi Waveriders managed to draw their away game against Kalinga Lancers. It was Delhi who made the first forays into Kalinga's penalty area through a Yuvraj walmiki but a poor effort from him denied early goal.

However, tt was Kalinga who opened the scoring through Lucas Vila who received the ball from his skipper and fires a beautiful reverse hit in the Waveriders post.Surprised by the attacking play of lancers, the Delhi outfit most often found themselves on the back foot for the majority of the first quarter.

Starter Nicolas Jacobi was the star for Delhi as he made continuous diving saves, under the bar to deny the Lancers a further advantage. Then in the second quarter the same story continued as Lancers Aran Zalweski was again in the thick of the action, since he made a quick start on the foul ball. He passed it to the Lucas Vila, who crossed the ball from the right flank to Delhi’s penalty area and Vikas Sharma connected the ball into goal post to make 2-0.

The Delhi defenders found it hard to cope up with some of the long balls, especially Rupinderpal Singh. Against the run of play, Delhi Waveriders fought hard to earn a late penalty corner in the first half as Andrew Hayward scored converted to open Delhi’s account.

The third quarter saw little action as both teams played with a slow pace and defensive approach. Even in this quarter, Lancers had the upper hand as they produced few close moves towards the goal through Aussie Russel Ford and Dipsan Tirkey.

Kalinga earned its only penalty corner of the match in this quarter and the following drag flick from Gurjinder hits the woodwork to deny them a winner. Delhi's only bright move of the quarter came from Sardar Singh whose reverse stick effort hit the side post. The game was at its best, during the fourth quarter as both teams played at a frantic pace.

Delhi managed to get a penalty corner in the very first minute of the final quarter, but Rupinder’s effort was easily saved by Andrew Charter. Kalinga Lancers forced Delhi's Custodian Nicholas Jacobi frequently to make advance run to stop their efforts. In the mean time Delhi managed to win two penalty corners, but failed to convert it either of them.

It seemed that Kalinga would go home with a win, but a late goal by Talwinder Singh off Akashdeep’s cross enabled Delhi to draw the match. With this draw, Delhi have tightened their grip towards the last available semifinal spot, whereas Kalinga will at least try to finish the tournament on a high.