Delhi Waveriders win ten-goal thriller against Mumbai Magicians
By Sudheendra Tripathi

MUMBAI: A lapse of concentration at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, proved costly for Mumbai Magicians as they went down 4-6 to Delhi Waveriders in a Hockey India League match at Churchgate’s Mahindra Stadium on Monday.

Mumbai conceded their lead at the end of the third quarter to go in tied 4-4 in the fourth. But two brilliant goals sealed the match for Delhi who now top the standings with 17 points. Mumbai surged ahead through a Sandeep Singh short corner in the sixth minute.

Butv Delhi’s German forward, Oskar Deecke neutralised the lead just five minutes later. The teams were tied at one goal each by the end of the first quarter.

The highpoint of the second quarter was a classic field goal by Deckee. He dribbled past as many as four Mumbai defenders and slotted the ball home with a powerful reverse hit. Danish Mujtaba put Delhi ahead a few minutes later. The visitors had found their rhythm by then and had began to control proceedings.

The Waveriders’ defence, spearheaded by the towering Rupinder Pal Singh, was ruthlessly compact and negated many moves initiated by the hosts. Rupinder, in fact, thwarted two of Sandeep’s powerful drag flicks to ensure the visitors stayed on top.

Delhi went into the breather with two-goal cushion. After the change of ends, Mumbai regrouped remarkably well. They scored three goals and went ahead for the second time in the match.