Hockey India League-5: Punjab edge past Ranchi in thriller

New Delhi: Riding on Dutch drag-flicker Mink van der Weerden’s 25th-minute strike, defending champions Jaypee Punjab Warriors pipped Ranchi Rays 1-0 to win their first home game of the Hockey India League-5 in Chandigarh on Thursday. Having beaten Delhi Waveriders in their previous outing, Punjab were high on confidence and displayed an all-round game. The win consolidated their position on the points table, and they are now fourth with 16 points from five games.

Ranchi, who are third, will have to regroup soon as they have only two wins to show after seven matches. Ranchi Rays began on a strong note enjoying superior ball possession. They pressed hard in the first quarter and England’s star midfielder Ashley Jackson came close to scoring but was denied by goalkeeper Tristan Clemons of Australia, who walked away with the man of the match award. The second quarter saw Punjab change gears and switch to attack mode.

They finally broke Ranchi’s resilience with a 25th-minute goal when van der Weerden converted a penalty corner. Ranchi too had their chances in the last two quarters — the twice champions wasted eight penalty corners — but were left to rue their luck.