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Lucknow: Hosts Uttar Pradesh Wizards suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Ranchi Rays in the Hockey india League (HIL) here on Tuesday.
Wizards would have lost by more goals but for the goal-keeping skills of P R Sreejesh.
The two teams played aggressively from the beginning and Rays got the first penalty corner in the second minute, but it was superbly saved by Sreejesh.
The Wizards got a penalty corner in the 11th minute but drag flicker P Raghunath failed to make the most of the opportunity.
Taking advantage of the lapses on the part of Wizards, Ranchi striker Trent Mitton produced a clear strike giving Rays a 1-0 lead, which the visitors maintained till the first quarter.
In second quarter, Bob De Voogd got a golden chance to level the score, but his shot could not find the goal post.
Sreejesh, who had been the hero of India’s victory in 2014 Asian Games final, restricted the opposition on several occasion with his perseverance.
It included a field shot by Shea Macaleese in the ninth minute and another by Prabhdeep Singh in the 12th minute.
Though the Wizards started with an aggressive intent in the third quarter, their attempts were foiled by Rays keeper Lovell Tyler.
The Rays doubled their tally when taking advantage of defence line of Wizards, striker Mandeep Singh found the back of the net.
It was Wizards’ second loss in five games. They play the Punjab Warriors tomorrow.
PTI
