Rays look to find home comfort

Ranchi: On the nation’s 66th Republic Day, Delhi Waveriders will be indulging in a crucial combat against Ranchi Rays here in the Hockey India League at Astroturf Hockey Stadium here on Monday.
Having drawn their first game of the tournament against Uttar Pradesh Wizards on Friday, Delhi Waveriders are well aware of the importance of practice and cohesion in order to retain the coveted trophy. The start has not been ideal and conceding a late equalizer has surely not gone down well with coach Cedric D’souza.
Supervising practice on Sunday morning, the former India player focused primarily on penalty conversion and taking positions. While Delhi’s forward line is certainly an enviable one, their dependence on defender Tristan White, Stephen Edwards and Andrew Hayward has not yielded the desired result. Sardar Singh and Co. are aware of their Achilles heel against an opponent whic prides itself in playing an aggressive brand of hockey.
Ranchi Rays have had a disastrous start. In their first match, the hosts had to swallow the ignominy of conceding half-a-dozen goals against Kalinga Lancers in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. However, the drubbing seemed to have little impact on the team as they travelled to Mumbai and turned out 2-1 victors against Dabang Mumbai in a close encounter on Saturday.
With the likes of Trent Mitton and Mandeep Singh leading the charge upfront, the Rays have a formidable midfield, too, with captain Ashley Jackson at the helm of affairs. Keeping him company would be his English country mate Barry Middleton and local lad Birendra Lakra.
Like the Waveriders, the problem for the hosts, too, stems from their frail defence. They have already let in seven goals in just two matches while scoring five. With Sardar Singh, Simon Child, Gurbaj Singh and Yuvraj Walmiki in the opposition, Amit Rohidas, Kothajit Singh and Justin Reid-Ross will have their task cut out on Monday.
The city has experienced a sharp decline in temperature, the Rays will be hoping they are not caught cold by a strong and supremely-fit opposition.