HIL 2017: Ranchi Rays embarrass Delhi Waveriders 6-2, fail to qualify for semi-final

New Delhi: Manpreet Singh's double field goals in the 9th and 32nd minute went in vain as Ranchi Rays could not make it to the semi-final despite 6-2 win over Delhi Waveriders in a Hockey India League match today.

Delhi, however, made it to the last four stage of the competition.

Ranchi Rays had their task cut out as securing a semi-final berth would mean they would have to beat the Delhi Waveriders by a margin of eight goals or more.

They did get off to a roaring start, vying to fetch that target, with Manpreet Singh not only winning the first PC for Ranchi Rays but also earned their first field goal in the 9th minute.

It was Christopher Ruhr's clever assist that saw Manpreet tap the ball into the goal when they tried a different set piece to take a 2-0 lead.

As per the new rules, one field goal counts as two goals and Ranchi Rays needed them to stay on target.

However, both Ashley Jackson and Christopher Ruhr's attempts didn't find the net.

Ranchi Rays made an aggressive start soon after the half-time break.

Though they weren't successful at converting a PC they earned in the 31st minute, Manpreet Singh rallied back to score a goal in the 32nd minute, taking their lead to 4-0.

The Delhi Waveriders' defence was further exposed when Ranchi Rays' Imran Khan put one past Vanasch after a selfless assist by Christopher Ruhr who did well to beat the defender and find Khan.

The 37th minute goal helped the Ranchi Rays inch closer to the magical number with a 6-0 lead.

But Justin Reid-Ross spoiled the Ranchi Rays' party when he scored a field goal in the 45th minute.

They also won a PC in the dying minute of the third quarter but could not make much of it, ending the quarter with the score reading 6-2 in favour of the visitors.