BHUBANESWAR 09-Aug-2015
After completing two successive years in the Hockey India League (HIL), the Kalinga Lancers will start the third HIL campaign with their key players who have been with the team since the first match. The Bhubaneswar-based franchisee has retained young Indian players - Lalit Upadhyay, Devindar Sunil Walimiki (both forward) and Gurjinder Singh (defender). Along with them, the franchisee has also retained young Australian talents - striker Aran Zalewski and goalkeeper Andrew Charter - for upcoming two seasons.
For Kalinga Lancers, the drag-flicker specialist Gurjinder proved to be the key asset as he has a successful record in converting penalty corners in HIL. In the 2015 HIL, he was the fourth highest goal-scorer in the league and top scorer for his team with five goals, all through penalty corner conversions. His teammate Lalit, who scored two spectacular goals in last season, played a key role in mobilising the forward line and helped his team to create attacks.
Australia goalkeeper Andrew Charter is another important member of Kalinga Lancers, who saved many matches for his team. He displayed his best performance at his home match against the defending champions Delhi Waveriders, where he foiled many attacks from the opponents and was awarded Man-of-the-match for his excellent show. His fellow countryman Aran Zalewski is also developing into a new star of the team with his consistent performance and talents. He scored the winning goal against Delhi Waveriders at their away match in New Delhi and earned the Man-of-the-Match Award for his brilliant attacking skills.
In their first season in 2014, the young team finished last with two wins against the defending champions Ranchi Rhinos and Mumbai Magicians. In 2015 HIL, Kalinga Lancers started their campaign with a spectacular 6-3 win over Ranchi Rays and defeated Delhi Waveriders to finish fifth in the points-table.
RETAINED PLAYERS:
Indian: Devinder Walmiki, Forward (USD 30,000); Lalit Upadhyay, Forward (USD 35,000); Gurjinder Singh, Defender (USD 50,000).
Foreign: Aran Zalewski, Defender/Mid-fielder, Australia (USD 50,000); Andrew Charter, Goalkeeper, Australia (USD 40,000).
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PHOTO: File picture of Kalinga Lancers forward Aran Zalewski from Australia
