HIL: Delhi Waveriders take on Mumbai Magicians

New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) Having got off to a winning start in the Hockey India League (HIL), Delhi Waveriders would try to maintain their position at the top of the points table when they take on Mumbai Magicians at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here Wednesday.

Waveriders beat Jaypee Punjab Warriors 2-1 in the first match of the inaugural tournament here Monday.

Germany’s Oskar Deecke and Gurwinder Singh Chandi scored a goal each in the space of eight minutes that giving the Waveriders their first win.

The Sardar Singh-led Delhi outfit might have won comfortably, but there was definitely scope for improvement in their finishing. Had they taken their chances, Waveriders could have won with a much bigger margin.

Their opponents Mumbai Magicians would be keen to make a confident start to their HIL campaign, especially in an away game.

All eyes would be on Magicians’ top star Sandeep Singh. Singh is a proven performer at the highest level, and the onus would be on him to deliver the goods. Magicians’ fortunes in Wednesday’s match, as well as in the tournament, would depend a lot on India’s top drag-flickers’s form.

Having said that, there are a number of other talented players in this Magicians’ side too. Foreigners like Joel Carroll, Matthew Swann would be keen to prove their worth in the tournament, as early as possible.

Magicians are coached by Australian legend Ric Charlesworth, who has worked in India as a coach before. His tactical strength is definitely a plus-point for the Magicians, as they take on Delhi Waveriders, the only team in this competition to have an Indian coach, in AK Bansal.

IANS 2013-01-15 19:42:02