File photo of Kalinga Lancers playing against Ranchi Rays
Bhubaneswar, Jan. 29: Hockey enthusiasts are looking forward to a spirited performance by home team Kalinga Lancers on Saturday after the team's successive defeats in away matches.
Lancers would play its next two home matches against Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Punjab Warriors on January 31 and February 1, respectively, at Kalinga Stadium.
While the home team had started its campaign by routing Ranchi Rays by 6-3, the two away games had not been gone well for the team.
'The team would definitely bounce back in home conditions. Last year, they had performed better on home turf. Therefore, this year, we are again ready to cheer for Kalinga Lancers,' said Abhijit Hota, a hockey enthusiast.
Franchise officials are also hopeful of a packed crowd during the home matches.
'The online ticket sale for the two successive home matches has been satisfactory. Though the sale of tickets through counter in front of the stadium has been slow so far, the sales would go up from tomorrow,' said a franchise official.
Hockey enthusiasts can buyticketonline through www.bookmyshow.com. While the ticketprice of the East Stand would be Rs 50, the price of the West Stand tickets has been fixed at Rs 100.
Both Kalinga Lancers and Uttar Pradesh Wizards would reach the city tomorrow and are expected to practise on Saturday morning before the match in the evening.
The third edition of the Hockey India League (HIL) had kick started in the city with the inaugural ceremony being held on January 22.
'The atmosphere in the stadium was rocking with thousands of home fans cheering for their team in the inaugural match. The match would be a thriller as the home team would try to take revenge on Uttar Pradesh Wizards, which had routed us on their home turf,' said Ananta Mohapatra, an engineering student.
Rajya Sabha member and mentor of Kalinga Lancers Dillip Tirkey is also hopeful that the team would bounce back on home turf.
'We started off well but failed to perform better in the last two matches. The team would play to its potential and strike back,' he said.
