HIL 2017: Delhi’s winless streak continues

New Delhi: Jaypee Punjab Warriors staved off a fighting Delhi Waveriders 3-2 in a gripping encounter of the Hockey India League-5 at Shivaji Stadium here on Tuesday evening.

It was their first home game after three away matches and Delhi had all to play out in search of a maiden win this season, but there was no change in the script despite the hosts giving their all in an end-to-end battle.

Punjab now have 11 points after four matches, while Delhi remain at the bottom with five from as many games.

Robert van der Horst (15th) and Mink van der Weerden (53rd) scored for Punjab, while Delhi’s response came from Tristan White (39th).

Punjab unfurled an attacking game that was backed by a solid defence. When Delhi tried to make early inroads, the trio of Jasjit Kular, Mark Knowles and van der Weerden made sure each player was tightly marked. Punjab skipper and midfielder Sardar Singh too dropped back occasionally to aid the defence and that worked like a charm.

On the other hand, the visitors’ experienced forwards S.V. Sunil, Satbir Singh and van der Horst kept pressing and had the home defence engaged in the opening two quarters. Dutchman van der Horst made the most of such a chance when he connected to a Satbir cross from the right and sent a top of the circle shot past Delhi goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch to open up a 2-0 lead.

Delhi realised that defensive tactics weren’t helping their cause and the team increased the tempo in attacks that saw them go close on a number of occasions. Young striker Mandeep Singh almost scored in the 25th minute while another chance went abegging minutes later, but goals were nowhere in sight for the hosts as Punjab goalkeeper Tristan Clemons held firm.

Delhi, who were earlier relying on counter attacks, came into their own after the break. There was more structure to their attack and the midfielders fed the forwards beautifully. White brought things on even keel with an opportunistic strike in the 41st minute as the teams were level 2-2.

Things intensified from there and the match saw fast-paced action. There were attacks, counter attacks, penalty corners, even cards for some rough tackles, but no goals — which has been the story of these two former champions in this edition. 

Delhi earned four penalty corners but skipper and drag-flicker Rupinderpal Singh yet again failed to get going.

Punjab finally managed to take the upper hand when van der Werdeen scored off the team’s third penalty corner in the 53rd minute, which proved to be the difference between the sides.

Delhi went all out in attack in the remaining seven minutes but man of the match Clemons was up for everything that was thrown at him, ensuring Punjab crucial points. Waveriders face Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the second home game on Wednesday.