UP Wizards ride on second half brilliance to pip Ranchi Rhinos 2-0

VR Raghunath’s PC and Jeroen Hertzberger’s reverse hit sealed the win for UP Wizards against Ranchi Rhinos (FILE PHOTO)

Sahara India Pariwar-owned Uttar Pradesh Wizards maintained their unbeaten run in the inaugural Hero Hockey India League, snapping the winning streak of Ranchi Rhinos with a fighting 2-0 win at the Dhyan Chand Astroturf Stadium in Lucknow.

The Wizards, coached by legendary Dutch Roelant Oltmans, were locked in a grim battle with the Rhinos which saw both teams play out a goalless first half.

The UP outfit scored once in the third and fourth quarter to seal the fate of Ranchi Rhinos.

With this win, UP Wizards jumped to the top of the points table, gleaning 12 points from three matches and are ahead of Delhi Waveriders only on better goal average – Delhi also have 12 points from 3 matches. Rhinos are placed third, with 11 points from three matches.

The proceedings, watched by Indian chief coach Michael Noobs, started on a sedate note with both teams taking their own time to size each other up. Caution appeared to be the buzzword as both teams looked to assume control over the midfield. The Rhinos, under the inspirational presence of their German skipper Moritz Fuertse with able support from Birendra Lakra and Kothajit Singh, were able to keep the Uttar Pradesh Wizards at bay.

The Rhinos’ assertive midfield play allowed the likes of Mandeep Singh and Dutchman Floris Evers to show promise upfront. The Rhinos had a great opportunity to draw first blood in the seventh minute when Mandeep sped down the left and took a shot, which was well blocked by Wizards’ Australian goalkeeper George Bazeley.

Mandeep muffed up another chance to put his side ahead a few minutes later when Bazeley blocked his effort.

The Wizards slowly began to hit the straps and looked dangerous in the closing stages of the opening quarter when Netherlands’ Marcel Balkestein rushed through the middle but found a determined Rhinos’ Spanish goal-tender Francisco Cortes in his way.

The Ranchi outfit began the second quarter on a bright note when Mandeep orchestrated a nice move from the left but Bazeley was equal to the task. A few minutes later, Floris Evers made a spirited run down the right but his goal-scoring designs were nullified by the stout UP defence.

The second quarter saw scant attacking moves from both teams as play was mostly confined to the midfield. The Rhinos camp got excited towards the end of the second quarter when they earned their first penalty corner after Mandeep was unfairly tackled by Harbir Singh as he had dribbled past two UP defenders. The Ranchi outfit attempted an indirect execution and bungled that opportunity as both teams were locked goalless at half time.

The Wizards looked a transformed outfit in the third quarter as their forwardline made a serious bid to break the deadlock. Netherland’s Jolie Wouter nearly gave the UP outfit the lead early in the third quarter but Cortes foiled that attempt.

Jeroen Hertzberger broke down the middle and took a stinging reverse hit, which was well blocked by Cortes.

Hertzberger made amends for that miss a little later, giving Wizards the all-important opening goal in the 46th minute. The Dutch striker dodged past two Rhinos defenders and slammed a powerful reverse hit, which finally breached Cortes.

Trailing 0-1, Rhinos needed to come out with a strong intent in the fourth quarter. But they were against a UP side that was keen on consolidating their lead.

Wizards captain Vokkaliga Raghunath compounded Rhinos’ woes, doubling the lead in the 58th minute, converting his team’s second penalty corner, whipping home a robust flick to the left of Cortes.

Wizards had a nice chance to make it 3-0 when they earned their third penalty corner in the 66th minute but Raghunath’s drag-flick was well stopped by Cortes.

Ranchi Rhinos captain Moritz Fuertse promised to fightback after their opening defeat. “We didn’t play well but we have enough matches to come back. It’s a long road ahead.”

Uttar Pradesh Wizards captain Vokkaliga Raghunath was chuffed with his team’s win. “Ranchi were the table toppers going into this match, so winning against them in front of our home crowd is hugely satisfying.”