HIL 2016: Rupinder propels Delhi to top of the table
Rupinder Pal Singh
|Image Courtesy: Hockey India League - Facebook
Indian defender Rupinder Pal Singh produced a solid performance at the back, along with a goal from a penalty corner, as Delhi Wave Riders contained waves of attack from Uttar Pradesh Wizards before grabbing a 3-1 win at the end.
Uttar Pradesh Wizards dominated the game from the start, but failed to score past Devon Manchester in the Delhi goal.
Rupinder Pal Singh provided Delhi with the lead, against the run of play, in the 12th minute of the third quarter. His low penalty corner deflected off VR Raghunath’s stick and defeated Sreejesh in goal.
Delhi extended their lead in the 13th minute of the fourth quarter, and ensured the win when Steven Edwards found the back of the net. The New Zealand defender found Talwinder Singh on the left wing, after a surging run, and the Indian forward returned the ball to win in front of the goal. Edwards bundled it in, off Sreejesh's leg, to take the score to 3-0.
Uttar Pradesh scored a consolation goal in the final minute with Gonzalo Peillat beating Devon Manchester with a fiercely struck penalty corner. The match ended 3-1 in favour of the visitors, as Uttar Pradesh failed to score a single field goal, despite making 20 circle penetrations (compared to Delhi's 14) and having 55% of possession in the game.
The win takes Delhi to the top of the table and are now the only unbeaten team in the league.
