Hockey India League: Gurjinder strike takes Kalinga past Delhi
New Delhi: Last year’s finalists Kalinga Lancers punished wasteful Delhi Waveriders, posting a 1-0 win in the two teams’ opening clash in the Hockey India League Season 5 in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Drag-flicker Gurjinder Singh scored from the team’s only penalty corner in the 47th minute to hand Kalinga five points.
Delhi, on the other hand, enjoyed a greater share of ball possession and were more penetrative in attack but were woeful when it came to finishing touches.
New skipper Rupinderpal Singh too was found wanting in penalty corners, wasting as many as seven chances.
Said Kalinga skipper Moritz Fuertse, “We are happy to open with five points in front of our home fans. “We face Ranchi Rays next and they are a very formidable team with many good Indian players. It is going to be a tough game.”Former champions Delhi now travel to Ranchi for their next encounter on January 22.