Rajeev Kumar
Bhubaneswar, Jan 21: All charged-up Kalinga Lancers are all set to take on the Ashley Jackson-led Ranchi Rays as the Hockey India League (HIL) returns in its third edition at the Kalinga Stadium here Thursday.
Boosted with the inclusion of India defender Gurjinder Singh who is also one of the best drag- flickers in the world, the Lancers aim to surprise the Ranchi Rays (previously Ranchi Rhinos) who had won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2013.
Putting his faith in Gurjinder, Felix told reporters Thursday: “The opponents should look out for Gurjinder’s ability in converting PCs and his inclusion strengthens our defence too.”
Felix believes that no team in the tournament is ‘extra strong’. “I don’t think that any team in the league is ‘extra’ strong as all sides have good players. So all the teams are equally balanced,” he said.
In Gurjinder and Gonzalo Peillat, who converted seven penalty corners last year, the Lancers have the adequate ammunition required to succeed in present day hockey.
But, then modern hockey is also about speed and agility. It is on this count, that the Ranchi Rays have an edge, at least on paper.
With the presence of stars like Englishmen Jackson, England captain Barry Middleton, Germany’s Champions Trophy star Moritz Furste and India’s Manpreet Singh, the Rays boast of one of the fastest midfield in the tournament.
They also have local star Birendra Lakra and South Africa’s Justin Reid Ross as defenders while Australian Trent Mitton, India’s Mandeep Singh and Kiwi Nick Wilson will be in charge of the forward line.
Nevertheless, Lancers’ captain and midfielder Vikram Kanth is unperturbed by the Rays’ popular players.
According to Kanth, the Lancers are ‘pepped up’ to take on Rays. “It is a new team with some new players and new mindset in the team. All of us have a positive mindset towards the league and will surely give our best,” he said.
Although they have less experience in midfield and forward line as compared to Rays, the presence of Lalit Upadhyay, Mandeep Antil, Australian Russell Ford, Lucas Villa of Argentina, Roshan Minz and Mohammad Amir Khan makes the Lancers a side that can surprise any opponent’s defence.
It will all ultimately boil down as to which side manages to hold nerves together. Will it be Rays or the Lancers? Only Thursday can provide the answer.
