HIL 2017: Uttar Pradesh Wizards hold Delhi Waveriders to 1-1 stalemate

New Delhi [India], Feb.19 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Wizards played out a 1-1 draw against hosts Delhi Waveriders in a crucial Hockey India League (HIL) match here at Shivaji Stadium last evening. It was an important clash between the Uttar Pradesh Wizards and the Delhi Waveriders as a win would have ensured a semi-final spot in the ongoing fifth edition of the tournament. But as it turned out, both teams were determined not to lose, thus ending the match in a draw in an evenly fought contest. The first quarter saw the Delhi Waveriders make a strong start with some excellent counter attacking skills, creating a lot of chances with brave forays into the circle. They won two early penalty corners but Uttar Pradesh Wizards' goalkeeper P.R Sreejesh was rock solid at the post as he made four important saves in the first 15 minutes of the match resulting in both teams going into the first break in a stalemate. Sreejesh's efforts eventually won him the `man-of-the-match` award. Delhi Waveriders' skipper Rupinder Pal Singh finally found a breakthrough when he converted his team's third attempt at a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. The ball, struck low and hard, beating Sreejesh to give them a 1-0 lead. Uttar Pradesh Wizards, though, were quick to earn a penalty corner almost immediately but a miss trap seemed like they lost the opportunity. A quick-thinking Raghunath however asked for a foot-foul through a video referral which went in their favour and earned his team their second penalty corner. Uttar Pradesh Wizards eventually equalized through a penalty stroke in the 22nd minute which was successfully converted by Gonzalo Peillat. Though the Uttar Pradesh Wizards found an opportunity to take a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute through a penalty corner, Peillat's flick was far and wide from the post. The first half was dominated by the Delhi Waveriders with better ball possession but the Uttar Pradesh Wizards were clinical in their approach as they recorded more circle entries. The Uttar Pradesh Wizards came back stronger in the third quarter, dominating with the ball possession but Delhi Waveriders showed determination with good defence keeping their opponents from scoring. In the 41st minute, Delhi Waveriders won a penalty corner but Sreejesh was in perfect nick when he padded away Rupinder Pal Singh's strongly struck flick. Delhi Waveriders' goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch too was kept busy throughout the quarter but he showed class with his alert goalkeeping skills. A thriller of a finish was in the offing as the score read 1-1 ahead of the final quarter. The Uttar Pradesh Wizards continued to dominate with the ball possession but the pressure caught on as a foul by Uttar Pradesh Wizards' Chinglensana Singh gave away a penalty corner in the dying minutes of the match. But a poor trap denied Delhi Waveriders a goal and the match ending in a stalemate. Wizards will now take on Jaypee Punjab Warriors at the Shivaji Stadium in New Delhi later today.(ANI)