Chak de stuff from Mandeep Singh as Ranchi Rhinos pip UP Wizards 3-1

A few days back, Ranchi Rhinos scripted an edge-of-the-seat, thrilling 3-1 win over Uttar Pradesh Wizards, pumping in two goals in the final four minutes of play in their own backyard.

And on Saturday, the script against the same opponents at the Major Dhyan Chand Astroturf Stadium in Lucknow wasn’t much different, as Ranchi Rhinos struck thrice in the final twelve minutes of play to log full points to surge to the second spot in the points table behind Delhi Waveriders, who enjoy a better goal average.

The Ranchi outfit, who were wearing the yellow outfit from their usual all-red and taking the field without their German captain and playmaker Moritz Fuertse and South African Austin Smith, showed more intent than the Wizards who appeared to have been still rattled by the two late goals which led to their away game defeat against the Rhinos.

Rhinos were served well in defence by the troika of Fergus Kavanagh, Justin Reid-Ross and Birendra Lakra, with the talented Ashley Jackson often rushing in to assist the defence in the absence of Fuertse and Smith.

The hectic travelling and less recovery time between matches could have been a factor in ensuring the match did not live up to great heights.

In fact, the Wizards, egged on by a boisterous home crowd, did mount some early raids but Ranchi soaked all the early pressure with aplomb.

Jeroen Hertzberger had an opportunity to put Wizards ahead but he failed to make the most of it from close range.

The white-and-blue brigade earned their first penalty corner in the closing stages of the first quarter but their captain Vokkaliga Raghunath could not capitalize on it.

Wizards started the second quarter on a promising note, forcing their second penalty corner but Rhinos’ Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Cortes affected a superb save.

A few minutes later, Wizards earned their third penalty corner and Raghunath gave Luke Doerner a chance to have a crack but the team could not profit from it, with Cortes coming in the way of the Australian.

Wizards did create enough scoring chances but poor finishing let them down in the second quarter. Spain’s David Alegre and Hertzberger were the culprits on both occasions.

Wizards suffered a setback towards the end of the second quarter as Vivek Dhar was yellow carded for a foul on Manpreet Singh, which meant Wizards played the first five minutes of the third quarter with ten men.

Rhinos maintained possession but were not quite able to penetrate the Wizards’ defence. Wizards’ cause was not helped by the day’s second marching orders to their Dutch defender Jolie Wouter fourteen minutes from the final hooter.

Rhinos almost broke the deadlock when New Zealander Nick Wilson’s reverse hit sailed wide, followed by a brilliant one-touch move from young Mandeep Singh, who was blocked in time by Wizards’ Aussie goal-tender George Bazeley.

Rhinos finally took the lead from their first penalty corner in the 58th minute when Mandeep slotted home amid a goalmouth melee.

It was Mandeep again who doubled the lead in the 67th minute before Wizards quickly reduced the deficit through Hertzberger, who blasted home a cross from the right flank by Harbir Singh.

Just when it looked Wizards would do everything to equalize, young Tarandeep Singh made it 3-0 in the final minute off a pass from Wilson on the right.

Ranchi Rhinos captain Fergus Kavanagh was pleased with the win. “We soaked up the early pressure from the Wizards and played better in the second half.”

UP Wizards captain Vokkliga Raghunath was disappointed with the loss.”Some decisions went against us, hopefully we will come back strongly in the coming matches.