Match Preview: Delhi Waveriders vs Ranchi Rhinos

Venue: Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi (Capacity – 16,200)

Broadcaster: Star Sports (Hindi Commentary), Star Cricket (English Commentary)

Date: 30 January 2013, Wednesday

Time: 8:00 PM (IST)

The unbeaten Delhi Waveriders will enjoy a slight edge due to their home advantage in their eighth round league clash against Ranchi Rhinos at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in the national capital tomorrow. The two most consistent sides in the Hockey India League are both on 27 points (though Delhi have a game in hand against Punjab Warriors at home tonight). The hosts had earlier pipped Ranchi to the post 3-4 when they played away about a week ago.

The key battle will be to wrest control of the midfield, and if ailing skipper Moritz Feurtse rejoins the action, the visitors will be better endowed in this department, which is their forte. They also have more firepower in their penalty corner battery, with a handful of capable flickers in tow, whereas Delhi have to excessively rely on Rupinder Pal Singh. Otherwise, the teams are well served in attack and defence by a combination of young guns and stalwarts.

Key Players

Sardar Singh (Delhi)– The mercurial skipper will have to rise to the occasion to help his team dominate the midfield exchanges and take the attack to the opposition, or they might be stifled by the creativity and organization of their rivals, in no small measure due to the tactical acumen of coach Gregg Clark.

Ashley Jackson (Ranchi)– The England midfielder is the battering ram of the Rhinos with his powerful and searing drag flicks, and is also a reliable presence in the midfield. Delhi will have to find a way to keep the penalty corners they concede to the minimum, or deny Jackson the opportunity to execute his routines if they do.

Form Guide:

Delhi Waveriders: WWDWWW
Ranchi Rhinos: WWLLWWW

Coaches:

Delhi Waveriders: A K Bansal

Ranchi Rhinos: Gregg Clark

Score Prediction: It will be too close to call, but the side that takes the early initiative can well hold on to prevail by the minimum margin.