By Rajeev Kumar
Bhubaneswar, Jan 19: When Ranchi Rays take on Kalinga Lancers in the opening tie of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2015 here at the Kalinga Stadium Thursday, they will be boosted not only by the presence of star players like captain Ashley Jackson, Birendra Lakra and Manpreet Singh but also be inspired by the co-owner of the team Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is on a tour Down Under to defend the World Cup.
“Certainly he (Dhoni) is an inspiration for our team. He has talked to us over the phone and told us to give our best in the first match,” Ranchi Ray’s and India midfielder Manpreet Singh stated here Monday. “Kalinga Lancers have very good drag flickers like Gurjinder Singh and Gonzalo Peillat. But we are well prepared to counter them to start our campaign on a winning note,” he added.
Ranchi Rays’ newly-appointed captain Jackson stated that he is confident of beating the local team in front of the home crowd. “The crowd will definitely support Lancers. But that won’t affect our performance,” Ashley said while agreeing that the presence of Orissa players like Birendra and Anand Lakra may just tilt a wee bit of support in their favour.
The team from Ranchi (previously Ranchi Rhinos) had won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2013 and they are a strong contender of the title this year as well. Kalinga Lancers’ coach Jude Felix also conceded that the Rays have an advantage going into the first match of the tournament.
“Both teams can’t be compared right now as that can be done only after the match. But definitely they have an advantage because they have won the inaugural edition of HIL. They will come to the game with more confidence,” Felix said.
However, Felix stated that his players are all geared up for the challenge and they won’t be a let down in front of the home crowd. “Preparation wise, our boys have done well and I am confident of winning all the time.”
When asked if the crowd will support his team or the visitors, Felix said: “I don’t know whom people will support. But it doesn’t matters to us as we just like to play,” said Felix while adding that the presence of Orissa players in the visitors’ side will not affect his side’s performance. “When the match starts, they will all be our opponents and our only aim will be to defeat them.”
Felix may downplay the impact of public support during a hockey match at the Kalinga Stadium but those who witnessed the final of the Champions Trophy here recently will vouch how fans’ undivided support to Germany, became one of the reasons which helped them defeat Pakistan in the final.