New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Wizards all but booked their semi-finals berth despite a narrow 0-1 loss to defending champions Jaypee Punjab Warriors in a crucial Hockey India League-5 match here on Monday.
Punjab have got almost nothing going for them this season, but for the sparkling form of goalkeeper Tristan Clemons who once again stood like a rock and was the difference between the teams on the day. It, however, was not enough as the holders crashed out ending on 22 points from 10 matches despite pushing UP to the brink.
Dabang Mumbai (33) and Kalinga Lancers (28) are already through to the playoffs while UP, who picked up a point on the day, are now on 23 from nine matches.
An outright win would have seen the V.R. Raghunath-led UP climb to second on the table, but the team lacked intensity and appeared tired having played out a 1-1 draw against Delhi a day ago.
Punjab, on the other hand, were light on their feet and looked set to play the party-spoilers. They took advantage of UP’s safety-first approach, pressing them hard early in the match but goalkeeper Sreejesh P.R. was up for the task as the teams remained deadlocked in the opening two quarters.
For Punjab, there were moments of brilliance — when former India skipper Sardar Singh weaved his way past several defenders in a move that bespoke artistry and when veteran striker S.V. Sunil made his trademark runs from the right flanks — but mostly the script played out as it has for them this season.
There were chances but the team were a far cry from their attacking and ruthless run last year.
UP tried to find their way mostly from counter-attacks and came close on occasion but lack of co-ordination between strikers hurt them. Punjab’s Clemons showed top skills and would have been happy to pick up yet another man of the match award. Drag-flicker Mink van der Werdeen finally put Punjab ahead with a well-taken penalty corner shooting to the left of Sreejesh, to make it 1-0.
UP now travel to Lucknow for their final league encounter against Mumbai on Wednesday, while Delhi Waveriders will look to seal the final last-four berth when they face Ranchi on the morrow.
