Times of India: HIL preview: Dabang Mumbai running out of time

By Dhananjay Roy

MUMBAI: Hours after losing to Delhi Waveriders, the entire Dabang Mumbai squad was back at the MHA-Mahindra Stadium on Saturday afternoon to prepare for their next Hockey India League fixture against Kalinga Lancers. The players went about their drills cheerfully for over an hour amid rising temperatures, with clear emphasis on improving upon a host of different variations. And, it is these lessons that they desperately need to implement successfully if Mumbai are to salvage Season Four of the league after losing their opening three games.

On Sunday evening, Jay Stacy’s side meet a team that has already beaten them once in the competition, but the coach is convinced that his men can get their campaign back on track by pulling off the much-needed victory. “Stats show that we have lost three games on the trot, but they weren’t bad losses. We created a lot of opportunities in these games. However, we need to win this one so that we are back in the contest,” Stacy told TOI, after the team’s practice session.

Like the previous season Mumbai have paid dearly for momentary lapses in concentration, conceding goals at crucial junctures. “This is something that is worrying us, but as I said, a win will set a lot of things right for the team,” added Stacy .

Up front, Mumbai have relied largely on the talent of Florian Fuchs, and the German striker has responded with two goals so far. However, the other strikers are struggling to find form. What has also compounded matters for the currently bottom placed side is the fact that they have little to show for on the short-corner front. Their key drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh has managed to score only once. The other goal he scored came through a penalty stroke.

On the other hand, the Lancers, who have won two and lost the other two games so far, are riding high on the form of Australia’s Glenn Turner who has scored five goals. Incidentally, he had scored the winner when the two teams met ten days ago in Bhubaneswar.