Bhubaneswar:
Kalinga Lancers will have revenge on their minds as they lock horns with Uttar Pradesh Wizards in a league match of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL), here tomorrow.
The Lancers suffered a disheartening 1-5 defeat against Uttar Pradesh Wizards in their previous encounter at Lucknow and the hosts is practicing various strategies to put-up a stimulating performance on their home turf.
Jude Felix, Coach, Kalinga Lancers said: “Yesterday’s performance was very disappointing for the team but we are not demoralised. We still have the best players and young talents, who have ability to win any match. Boys have the confidence and now we have understood our opponents’ game, so we are looking forward to a good competition in tomorrow’s match.
Uttar Pradesh are upbeat after their one-sided win against Kalinga. The Wizards had scored four goals in the last eight minutes and earned five crucial points to push the Lancers to third position.
Their players are riding high on confidence after getting back their lost form and will go all out to maintain their winning spree tomorrow.
With the Dutch player Wouter Jolie and penalty corner specialist VR Raghunath as defenders, the Lucknow-based team will utilise all their big guns such as Jeroen Hertzberger of Netherlands and SK Uthappa in the forward line.
Dutch players Bob De Voogd and Alexander Baart along with Australian Eddie Ockenden will be mending the midfield, while Kalinga will have to find a way to get past world-class goal-keeper PR Sreejesh.
Roelant Oltmans, coach of Uttar Pradesh Wizards said, “The rotation of captain in each game is working positively in our team. We won the last match under our new captain Wouter Jolie with a huge margin and we will try something different in tomorrow’s match as well.
“We will stick to our strategy of using new players and changing formations during the match tomorrow. Though this is an away match, our boys are confident of showcasing their best skills against Kalinga Lancers tomorrow.”
