Rourkela Rourkela: UP Rudras registered a crucial 3-1 win against Delhi SG Pipers in the ongoing Men's Hockey India League on Saturday. Goals from Floris Vortelboer (30'), Kane Russell (43') and Tanguy Cosins (54') helped them secure three points and move to second place in the points table, while Jake Wheaton (29') scored for Delhi SG Pipers. He is the only goalscorer who is yet to register a single win in the league, according to a release from HIL. The way UP Rudras started the quarter, they looked like a strong team on paper.
He made more circle entries with a compact attack and was stronger than his opponent in terms of ball possession. Early in the first quarter, they also won the first penalty corner (PC) of the match, but the opportunity was missed when Ken Russell combined with Sam Ward to convert the PC, but Ward was unable to make the correct connection and His strike went off target. Rudra continued to dominate the ball for the next few minutes and local Odisha side Sudip Chirmako showed some excellent attacking skills to break into the striking circle on a few occasions. But the quarter ended with a 0–0 scoreline.
Starting the next quarter, Rudra created another great chance to take a 1-0 lead. This time too, it happened through PC. However, the drag flick went straight to the goalkeeper. Although Lalit Upadhyay took the rebound, the shot was off-target. Rudra continued to do everything right in their attack to take the game forward, but their defense faltered in the 29th minute when Delhi SG Pipers scored the first goal of the match. It was their captain Jake Wheaton who produced a brilliant display at the top of the circle, evading defenders and firing an ambitious shot on goal. However, their celebration did not last long as UP Rudra's Floris Vortelboer equalized the score in the very next minute.
Rudra finally got the lead in the 43rd minute when he got a PC. This time Kane Russell scored with a brilliant flick and gave his team a vital 2-1 lead.
UP Rudra, leading by only one goal, had to struggle on the ball to maintain the lead in the last quarter. Meanwhile, Delhi SG Pipers pushed for the equaliser. Six minutes into the quarter, youngster Manjeet took a brilliant shot on goal, but was unsuccessful. After this he also won a PC in the next minute, but could not score the goal. Meanwhile, Rudra got a chance to score the third goal through Tanguy Cosins in the 54th minute. He executed the PC brilliantly and put his team in a strong position.
Less than five minutes before the final hooter, Delhi SG Pipers got a PC, but they were not able to make much of it. Meanwhile, Rudras strengthened their defense to register a 3-1 win and move to second place behind Tamil Nadu Dragons in the points table. This was their third win in the five matches played so far.
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