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Defending champions Jaypee Punjab Warriors opened their account in the fifth edition of the Hockey India League with an incredible 7-0 thrashing of Ranchi Rays, in Ranchi, on Wednesday.
Mink Van Der Weerden (25th), S V Sunil (26th and 34th), Jake Whetton (43rd) scored for the Punjab side to walk away with five points.
Played in front of a vocal crowd, there was no doubt that this clash was going to be played with pace and skill and the teams did not disappoint. They both raced out of the blocks at a frenetic pace, attacking each other constantly, but it was the visitors who dominated.
Playing only their second game in the season, the defending champions were eager for a win and dished out an inspired game after losing to Dabang Mumbai in their first outing.
The final quarter witnessed the visitors make unnecessary fouls that saw two of their players shown green cards and in-turn won Ranchi Rays two successive penalty corners.
Ranchi Rays' desperate attempts to convert the penalty corners went in vain. The home team, at this juncture, seemed like they missed the services of German drag flicker Christopher Ruhr who sat out due to ill health.
Coach Harendra Singh would not be a happy man with his team's inability to convert the several penalty corners won by them and this perhaps cost them the match.