HERO HIL: Upbeat Rhinos hoping to conquer Delhi Waveriders

New Delhi, January 29, 2013:Ranchi Rhinos would look to avenge their home loss against Delhi Waveriders when they come visiting the national capital on Wednesday for the top of the table clash in the inaugural edition of the Hero Hockey India League, at the MDC National Stadium.

The Rhinos had ended on the losing side of the nine-goal thriller against the Waveriders on their home turf a week ago and even then they looked like the only team which could have broken the unbeaten streak of their opponents.

Delhi Waveriders practice before their match against Ranchi Rhinos tomorrow 30 Jan at 8pm.

But the Waveriders then managed to survive by the skin of their teeth and the Rhinos would be raring to go on the morrow, having avenged the earlier reversal against Uttar Pradesh Wizards with two consecutive victories and then taming the Mumbai Magicians for the second time in a row.

The Rhinos mid-field is one of the best in the tournament and Captain Moritz Fuerste, who was rested for their last game, would be hoping that they would be successful in controlling the game against the likes of India skipper Sardar Singh and others.

The visitors would also be pleased by the form of youngster Mandeep Singh, who has made a habit to be at the right place at the right time and leads the field goal tally with six strikes.

The Waveriders, on the other hand, have been chugging along exceptionally well as a unit and have made the teams pay whenever they get an opening to breach the opposition’s defensive formation.

Almost every forward of the Waveriders have found his name on the score sheet in their last six encounters and it would be interesting to see what tactics the Rhinos team management employees to stop the hosts from scoring.

Coach Gregg Clark, Ranchi Rhinos, said, “The team has been performing well. In past two games some of our players were unwell but we hope to come in with the full squad for tomorrow’s game. Delhi is definitely a difficult team to play against are the table leaders but we hope play them with a combination of attack and defence strategy and do well”.

The Hero Hockey India League is organised by Hockey India with official sanction from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The inaugural season is being played from January 14 to February 10, 2013 in a home-and-away format. The five franchisee-based teams, consisting of the top hockey players from India and around the world, will compete for the prestigious trophy. Hero Motocorp Ltd. is the Title Sponsor of the league while Airtel is the Associate Sponsor. Star Sports, who is the Broadcast Partner, will be telecasting all matches live.

Wednesday's game 30th January: Delhi Waveriders vs Ranchi Rhinos at the MDC National Stadium at 8 p.m.