Delhi remain unbeaten, nick 5-4 win against Ranchi

Rupinder Pal Singh scored twice as Delhi Waveriders beat Ranchi Rhinos 5-4 and maintained their record of not losing a single Hockey India League match.

Besides Rupinder, Akashdeep Singh, Gurvinder Singh Chandi and Tim Jenniskens scored a goal each for the visitors at the Astroturf Stadium.

For Rhinos, Ashley Jackson scored twice, while Justin Ross and Mandeep Singh scored a goal each. "This is the best match of the tournament so far," Waveriders' skipper Sardar Singh said.

With this victory, Waveriders took their total points to 22, eight clear of second-placed Uttar Pradesh Wizards.

Delhi Waveriders were quick to get off the blocks, and went ahead in the fifth minute. Gurvinder Singh Chandi hit a from top of the circle, and Akashdeep Singh deflected the ball in the goal, giving Rhinos goalkeeper no chance.

The lead didn't last long as Rhinos' Moritz Fuerste struck towards Justin Ross in the centre of the Delhi circle, which he stopped, swung around and then came up with a reverse hit to the left corner. Despite Sardar Singh's blunder of miss-passing the ball to Rhinos' Nick Wilson, who was faced by a lone defender, he shot just wide of the right post.

Rhinos had to pay for these missed chances in the third quarter, as Waveriders scored twice. Rhinos did take the lead though, before that when Jackson scored through a penalty stroke. A minute later, Rupinder scored off a penalty corner to equalise and four minutes later, Gurvinder put Waveriders in the lead.

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