Delhi Waveriders didn't lose a single match throughout the Hockey India League but when it mattered the most they lost. Waveriders lost the final match of HIL to Ranchi Rhinos played at Birsa Munda AstroTurf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi on Sunday.
With this win of 2-1, Ranchi Rhinos have become the first Champion of debut HIL.
First quarter of the match was slow and defensive. Neither of the goalies were really threatened in the first quarter and none of the team was able to maintain possession for long periods.
Simon Child of Delhi Waveriders scored the opening goal of the match mid-way into the second quarter and put his in the lead. Matt Gohdes did the hard work in the right flank before Child collected the loose ball, and hit a cricket like straight drive past the Rhinos goalkeeper Cortes to open Waveriders' account.
Rhinos then became more aggressive after conceding the opening goal, and earned a penalty corner seven minutes later. Fuertse struck a powerful low hit to Waveriders' goalie Nicolas Jacobi right, which the latter cleared with his right leg.
The third quarter also saw Rhinos trying to apply pressure, with not much success. At the other end, Waveriders earned a hat trick of penalty corners. Rupinder Pal Singh's first drag flick was saved by Cortes, but the rebound was too high, resulting in another PC. Second one hit the rusher's leg, while third was again well saved by Cortes.
Three minutes later, Rhinos earned their second penalty corner of the evening. Ashley Jackson's drag flick was deflected wide by a Waveriders' defender, and once again Jacobi was not even tested.
Rhinos eventually drew level early in the final quarter. Mandeep was brought down inside the Waveriders' D, resulting into a penalty corner for the hosts. Rhinos tried a variation, where Ashley Jackson played a dummy, before Austin Smith slotted home the drag flick, giving Jacobi no chance.
With a little over seven minutes to go for the normal time to end, Jackson made a superb run into the Waveriders' circle, before passing the ball to Manpreet.
Manpreet took the ball close to the goalpost, before putting it to a defendera's foot, earning the home side yet another penalty corner. And although the drag flick was well saved, the rebound went to Manpreet, who smacked the ball past Jacobi, who dived a little too early, to put Rhinos 2-1 ahead.
Rhinos win was followed by wild celebrations. They were also supported by a packed capacity crowd.
Manpreet Singh won the Hero Goal of the Day award while Mauritz Furtse was awarded Man-of-the-Match award.
Champions Ranchi Rhinos were awarded the prize money of Rs 2,50,00,000 while the Runner-Up team Delhi Waveriders won the prize money of Rs 1,25,00,00.
Uttar Pradesh Wizards, second runner-up of HIL was given the prize money of Rs 75,00,000.
Player of the Tournament award and prize money of Rs 25,00,000 went to the Captain of Delhi Waveriders, Sadar Singh, for his brilliant performance throughout the tournament.
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