Ranchi, Jan 31: Ranchi Rhinos would look to catch up with Delhi Waveriders by handing them their first league defeat in the inaugural edition of the Hero Hockey India League when the two teams face off for the third and final time in the league stage at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium here Friday.
The top two teams in standings have so far played two exciting matches with the visitors winning the first encounter 5-4 here while the Rhinos came back from a goal down in the final quarter to hold the Waveriders to a 2-2 draw in their second meeting in Delhi.
The Rhinos now are keen to settle the score after having come close to an upset Wednesday. After eight matches, the Waveriders lead the standings with 34 points and are currently the only unbeaten team in the competition. The Rhinos, with five wins, a draw and two loses, are second with 29 points.
If the Rhinos manage to win Friday's tie by at least a four-goal margin then they can leapfrog the Waveriders in the standings on better goal-difference. However, given the display of their visitors so far in the tournament, the local side would only be hoping to hand them their first loss in the tournament.
