The HIL 2016 final is almost here!!! The Hockey India League, which started off on the 18th of January will be concluding with the final match which will be held on the 21st of February, Sunday. The hockey teams which played in the HIL 2016 have provided us with the most entertaining matches with spectacular goals being scored by the best hockey players around.
However, before we get all excited about the final, there are still the semi finals which will give us the names of the two teams which will be competing against each other in the final.
Two matches will be held on Saturday, 20th of February. The Jaypee Punjab Warriors will be competing against the Delhi Waveriders while the Ranchi Rays will be competing against the Kalinga Lancers.
The Ranchi Rays are at the top of the table currently, with 37 pts. They entered the semi final after defeating Dabang Mumbai in their own home ground in Ranchi. The Jaypee Punjab Warriors are following close behind with 29 pts. They were successful in scoring a place in the semi final after a nail biting game against the Kalinga Lancers, which eventually ended in a draw. The Delhi Waveriders are also not far behind with 27 pts. They defeated the Kalinga Lancers to secure a place in the semi finals where they will be facing the Jaypee Punjab Warriors. The Kalinga Lancers have 25 pts currently and will be facing the Ranchi Rays in the semi final.
The last three matches of the tournament will be held in the Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. The stadium has a seating capacity of around 5000 and is home to the Ranchi Rays. Thus, the Ranchi Rays will be playing the semi final, and if they win it then hopefully the final as well, in their own home ground.
The Ranchi Rays have been on a lucky streak of winning matches in their home ground. However, let’s see if their luck holds out in the semi final as well. For now, the hockey fans can only wait for the semi finals which will take place on Saturday, to see if their favorite team wins the title of HIL 2016. Reiterating, after the results on Saturday, the winning team of each semi final will be playing each other in the most awaited match of the tournament; the HIL 2016 Final!
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