New Delhi: Hosts Ranchi Rays and UP Wizards played out a hard fought 0-0 draw in a Hockey India League Season 5 league match on Saturday.
The draw ensured that both teams were where they were in the standings, Ranchi improved to 17 points from seven games but stayed third while the Wizards moved to eight points from three matches to remain fourth. The Wizards were faster off the blocks, winning two successive penalty corners early but failed to convert.
They enjoyed more ball possession and ended the first quarter strongly with a penalty corner that was blocked by the onrushing Ranchi defence. Ranchi came close to scoring, hitting the post with a fine attack in the 19th minute.
The match opened up as both teams created scoring opportunities but failed to unlock the well co-ordinated rival defence. The match gradually turned cagey as both teams waited for the other to commit a mistake.
The Wizards had a chance to break the deadlock with a penalty corner early in the third quarter but the resulting effort sailed wide. The visitors had greater hold of the ball going into the final quarter and they continued to earn penalty corners. Ranchi were under duress for the better part of action but defended well, led by Rupinder Pal Singh and South African Austin Smith. The Wizards thought they had scored in the 56th minute but Barry Middleton was alert to the danger.
