HIL 4: Rupinderpal Singh, Child take Delhi into semis

Delhi Waveriders’ Rupinderpal Singh (right) celebrates with teammates after their 6-0 win over Kalinga Lancers.

Delhi Waveriders came up with a near flawless performance, outwitting Kalinga Lancers 6-0 in their final round-robin match to cruise into the semi-finals of Hockey India League’s Season Four here on Wednesday.

A double from drag-flicker Rupinderpal Singh and brilliant field goals from skipper Simon Child and Parvinder Singh were the highlights of Delhi’s commanding win as they kept Kalinga silent throughout.

Delhi (27 points) thus joined Ranchi Rays (37) and Jaypee Punjab Warriors (29) in the final four, while Kalinga completed the line-up.

The Lancers (25), who were on the same points as Dabang Mumbai, progressed on a better goal average.

There was a lot at stake for the hosts going into the game, as they had not missed a semis berth in the last three editions. And on the day, they played like a team on a mission and shaded their opponents in every department.

Goalkeeper Devon Manchester once again displayed a top-notch game blocking whatever little chances Kalinga had, while the defenders deserve praise for keeping the dangerous Kalinga forwards under check.

Safety first was Delhi’s approach as they marked every player, chasing them like shadows. Glenn Turner found it difficult to break through while forwards Lalit Upadhyay and Malak Singh too failed to get going.

After a barren first quarter, Rupinderpal put Delhi ahead 1-0 off a penalty corner when he sent a sharp shot to the right of goalkeeper Andrew Charter in the 18th minute.

Delhi dominated the remaining two quarters orchestrating numerous moves as Kalinga’s defence, led by their mercurial skipper Mortiz Fuerste, was kept engaged time and again.

Rupinderpal added to the tally in the 33rd minute while skipper Child pounced on an opportunistic cross from Mandeep Singh a minute later.

Kalinga had their share of chances too, earning four penalty corners, but it just wasn’t their day as Delhi defended in depth.

Parvinder provided the perfect finish, finding the net four minutes from the hooter, to seal the game.

In the semi-finals to be played in Ranchi, Delhi take on Punjab while Ranchi will clash with Kalinga on February 20.