HERO HIL: Jaypee Punjab Warriors keen to continue winning form against Uttar Pradesh Wizards

Lucknow,  January 26, 2013:Jaypee Punjab Warriors would be keen to continue their winning form, when they take on Uttar Pradesh Wizards in away game of the Hero Hockey India League on Sunday, 27th January at the Dhyan Chand Astroturf Stadium in Lucknow.

Having had a difficult start to their campaign in this tournament, Warriors played some aggressive hockey to beat Dabur Mumbai Magicians on Thursday in a seven-goal thriller. With the likes of Malak Singh and SV Sunil showing some good form, the Warriors’ management would be reasonably confident going into Sunday’s match.

However, their record against Uttar Pradesh Wizards is not good this season. Wizards beat Warriors 2-1 in the first meeting of the two sides, while Warriors managed to escape with a 2-2 draw in the second. Both the games were played in Jalandhar, but Warriors were not able to take the home advantage.

Now it would be a tough challenge for Warriors to get the better of Wizards at Lucknow, where crowd has played a big part in hosts’ doing well. Lucknow has seen near capacity crowds on most occasions, and Warriors would have to overcome the challenge of performing well against a very vociferous crowd.

Warriors’ defence conceded four goals in two games against Wizards at home, and that’s one area the visitors would need to tighten up. Even against Magicians on Thursday, the defence conceded three goals. Team management of Warriors would know that they need to have the right people in defence, and also playing in their right positions. The Magicians were able to score off penalty corners on Thursday, and that is another area Warriors would have worked on in the three-day rest period.

Warriors would also know that one more loss would only make their task even more difficult. It’s high time they start getting their act together on a consistent basis, and Sunday could just be the right time to do it.

Uttar Pradesh Wizards would be playing their second home game in as many days on Sunday, and fitness of the players would be an issue that they will have to deal with. It’s something that all the teams have had to do at different stage of the tournament, and it is Wizards’ turn now.

Wizards have played well in home games this season, and would hope to continue their good home form on Sunday.

Jamie Dwyer, Captain, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, "It is going to be a tough game against Uttar Pradesh Wizards. We've done really well in the last three games and improved a lot as a team. The two wins against Mumbai have set the momentum for us and we want to keep that going, as this is now the crucial stage of the tournament." 

The Hero Hockey India League is organised by Hockey India with official sanction from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The inaugural season is being played from January 14 to February 10, 2013 in a home-and-away format. The five franchisee-based teams, consisting of the top hockey players from India and around the world, will compete for the prestigious trophy. Hero Motocorp Ltd. is the Title Sponsor of the league while Airtel is the Associate Sponsor. Star Sports, who is the Broadcast Partner, will be telecasting all matches live.

Sundays game 27th January: Uttar Pradesh Wizard’s vs Jaypee Punjab Warriors at the Dhyan Chand Astroturf Stadium at 3 p.m.