UP down holders Ranchi

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Wizards gave their campaign a superb start with a spirited 3-2 victory over defending champions Ranchi Rhinos at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday.

Nikkin Thimmaiah (10th), V.R. Raghunath (51st minute) and Pradeep Mor (63rd) scored for the winners, while Mandeep Singh (4th) and Justin Reid Ross (46th) struck for Ranchi.

In the night game, Punjab Warriors downed a battling Mumbai Magicians 5-3 at the Mohali Stadium.

Ranchi started on a positive note but Uttar Pradesh raised their game in the second half to round off a well-deserved victory.

By virtue of this win, the Roelant Oltmans-coached Uttar Pradesh pocketed five points, while the Rhinos will have to be content with one point as according to the rules of the tournament a defeat with a goal difference of two or less goals will give the losing side one point.

Said Oltmans, “The team played well though many players were new. I could see team effort on the ground which helped us convert chances. I do not have any strategy in place for the subsequent matches and will strategise one at a time. Our aim is to perform better than the opponents without putting much pressure on ourselves.

Added UP skipper Raghunath, “There have been quite a few changes in the team this time and we are still trying to create that balance amongst us. I am happy that co-ordination helped us beat Ranchi Rhinos on their home turf. The atmosphere here was electrifying but we were determined too.”

On Monday, Ranchi will face another tough test as they play last year’s runners-up Delhi Waveriders in what will be a re-run of the 2013 final.