Upbeat Rhinos hoping to conquer Delhi Waveriders

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) Ranchi Rhinos would look to avenging their home loss against Delhi Waveriders when the two face-off Wednesday for the top-of-the-table clash in the inaugural edition of the Hero Hockey India League at the National Stadium here.

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.

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.

Rhinos coach Gregg Clark 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.”

IANS 2013-01-29 20:22:04