10th February 2017: Uttar Pradesh Wizards drew with Kalinga Lancers 2-2, knocking the visitor’s chance of climbing back on top of the points table in a thriller of a game here at the Coal India Hockey India League on Friday.
It was a dramatic first quarter Forward Akashdeep Singh, who has played a crucial role for Uttar Pradesh Wizards, showed class when he beat defender Amit Rohidas into the circle to earn his team their first PC. The drag flick by skipper Raghunath was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Andrew Charter.
But the Uttar Pradesh Wizards were quick to get another PC, this time Raghunath was impressive with an inch-perfect flick that landed in the top center of the net like lighting. The 1-0 lead,
However, lasted only a couple of seconds with the visitors winning their first PC with less than six seconds to go for the quarter to end. The German Moritz Fuerste convert the goal to equalize.
The visitors rallied back into the second quarter, getting off the block at a frenetic pace with their attack and it paid off with a PC earned in less than a minute into the quarter.this time brilliantly saved by PR Sreejesh, Uttar Pradesh Wizards’ experienced goalkeeper. Though the visitors won their third PC in this quarter, a miss-trap denied them yet another chance at taking the lead and ending the first half at 1-1.
It was a nerve-wracking final quarter, with both teams coming up with a thriller of a game. India’s No.1 goalkeeper Sreejesh continued to be impressive keeping the Kalinga Lancers at bay. It was evident the home team was desperate for the winners’ points that would secure their Semi Final spot as they were pushed to the bottom of the points table. But the Kalinga Lancers were resilient. Germany’s celebrated hockey star Moritz was incredible with his efforts when he converted a PC in the 51st minute.
The game got dramatic in the dying minute when a video referral was upheld for the Uttar Pradesh Wizards fetching them a PC. A perfect injection by Agustin Mazzilli saw his Argentine teammate Gonzalo Peillat convert the goal to hand a 2-2 draw sending the dugout and the stadium into jubilation.
Awards of the Match
Coal India Goal of the Match
Moritz Fuerste of Kalinga Lancers was awarded a prize money of Rs 50,000 for scoring the Coal India Goal of the Match from Mr. A.K. Chakraborty, Director Technical CMPDIL.
Hero Young Achiever of the Match
Ajay Yadav of Uttar Pradesh Wizards won the prize of Rs 25,000 for being the Hero Young Achiever of the Match from Mr. Dhanraj Pillay, Olympian.
Airtel Most Entertaining Player of the Match
The Airtel Most Entertaining Player of the Match was awarded to Lalit Upadhyay of Kalinga Lancers that came with a prize money of Rs 25,000 and presented by Dr. R.P. Singh, Director Sports, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Man of the Match
Moritz Fuerste of Kalinga Lancers was declared the Man of the Match and was awarded a prize money of Rs 50,000 by Mr. Abhijit Sarkar, Director, Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
Today Fixture
On 11 February, Jaypee Punjab Warriors will take on Dabang Mumbai in Chandigarh at 1900hrs.
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