Ranchi, January 24 – With four wins in their last five outings, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers have the wind in their sails as they take on Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in their penultimate Pool A match in the second phase of the Hero Hockey India League here on Friday, January 24.
Thierry Brinkman and Alexander Hendrickx scored two goals each to help Kalinga Lancers rally to level at 5-all in regulation time before winning the shootout 3-2 against Delhi SG Pipers in their opening pool A match in Rourkela on Sunday.
Kalinga Lancers have 12 points from eight matches as the tournament moves into its business end as they lock horns with Bengal Tigers in a must-win game for both teams to stay in contention for semifinal spots.
“This is the ‘crunch time’ of a tournament and everything focuses on the actions that actually make winning possible. So far in the tournament we had momentum shift back and forth, and so we need to quickly get the momentum on our side and build on it,” said Kalinga Lancers coach Valentin Altenburg.
Kalinga Lancers routed Bengal Tigers 6-0 in their league phase meeting with a hat-trick from Brinkman, who is currently the tournament’s leading goal scorer with eight goals. Kalinga Lancers lead the team goals tally with 30.
“We will continue to play Kalinga Lancers style hockey, create situations, and play proactively, but also focus on keeping our circle free from their penetrations. And since the pitch (in Ranchi) is really challenging, I think we will see turnovers from both teams. I would want us to be as strong as possible throughout the 60 minutes, making it difficult for the Tigers,” Altenburg concluded.
This will be Kalinga Lancers’ first match of the season at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.
