The defending champions Ranchi Rays came on the top of the table by defeating Kalinga Lancers 3-2 at the Kalinga Stadium with total 27 points in the 4th Coal India Hockey India League.
In the first quarter both teams battled hard showing their defensive skills but field goal from Dharamvir Singh took the Kalinga Lancers 2-0 up in the 9th minute. Ranchi Rays captain Ashley Jackson made an excellent penalty corner conversion to rise the score to 2-1.
The score was unchanged till the half time due to an eye catching performance of both teams. The score board was looking like its freezed at 2-1 in the favor of Kalinga Lancers. The Ranchi Rays tried their best to get a goal in the third quarter but failed to get one. The score was still 2-1 after end of the third quarter.
Ranchi Rays vs Kalinga Lancers Photo Credits: Hockey india League
In the 49th minute of the game Mohd Amir Khan shot a goal giving Ranchi Rays a lead 3-2 over Kalinga Lancers. Kalingas tried hard to equalize the game by getting penalty corner but failed to score one.
“The Man of the Match’ award of INR 50,000 was given to Mohd. Amir Khan from Ranchi Rays. The Coal India Goal of the Match of INR 50,000 was awarded to Ashley Jackson from Ranchi Rays by Shri Anil Kumar Jha. The ‘Hero Emerging Player of the Match’ award of INR 25,000 was awarded to Matthew Dawson form Kalinga Lancers, while ‘The Most Entertaining Player of the Match’ award went to Moritz Fuerste from Kalinga Lancers.
