Team Orisports 21-Feb-2016
Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Lancers achieved their best success in Hockey India League (HIL) as they finished runners-up in the fourth edition after losing to Jaypee Punjab Warriors 1-6 in the lop-sided final at Ranchi today. This was the first title triumph for Punjab Warriors, who had settled as runners-up in 2014 and 2015.
Kalinga Lancers earlier made their maiden final entry by upsetting defending champions Ranchi Rays in the second semifinals 6-4 via penalty shoot out. After finishing sixth and fifth in the second and third editions respectively, Kalinga Lancers reached semifinals for the first time by securing fourth position at the league stage with 25 points from 10 matches. Overall, Kalinga Lancers won five matches, lost six and drew one.
Delhi Waveriders finished third, defeating Ranchi Rays 2-0. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and FIH president Leandro Negre presented trophy and other prizes in the presence of Hockey India president Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra.
