Press Trust of India
Ranchi, Jan 27: Defending Champions Ranchi Rays and Kalinga Lancers will look to outwit each other and continue their winning streak when they face-off in a match of HIL-IV here Thursday.
Ranchi Rays began their campaign on home turf on a winning note defeating Delhi Waveriders 2-1. But their opponents, Kalinga Lancers too have been equally successful both home and away. In their last match at Lucknow, they trounced UP Wizards 10-2.
No doubt, Rays will depend on their skipper Ashley Jackson who has been a picture of consistency for the side since he started playing for them from the inaugural year. This year also he has been in good form with five goals from three games.
Some of the other key players to watch out for in the squad will be star drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Kothajit Singh, Manpreet Singh and Birendra Lakra amongst the Indians while Barry Middleton, Fergus Kavanagh and Tyler Lovell will add to the international strength for the defending champions.
Speaking about the upcoming clash, Ranchi Rays head coach Harendra Singh said: “It’s going to be a good and exciting contest. Both the teams like to play attacking hockey. The key to success lies in the ability to adopt the correct basics.”
Glenn Turner has turned around the fortunes of Kalinga Lancers scoring consistently and he already has 10 goals against his name keeping in mind that each field goals counts as two.
Moritz Fuerste has led from the front and Turner, Aran Zalewski, Adam Dixon and Andrew Charter add to the team’s international strength, while Devindar Walmiki, Dipsan Tirkey, SK Utthappa, Stanli Minz, Amit Rohidas and Pradeep Mor are the Indian players to look out for.
“We are fortunate to have a beautiful mix of players in the team with experienced international players and some very talented Indians. This mix that has helped us so far and we are confident that it will provide us success for the rest of the league,” said Fuerste here Wednesday.
