Dabang Mumbai beat Kalinga Lancers 2-1 in the ongoing Hero Hockey India League 2015
– Record their first win of the season
Mumbai, 8 February 2015: It was a must win match for both Kalinga Lancers and Dabang Mumbai. The win would have given each five points and hope to close the point’s gap with Delhi Waveriders and be in contention for a semi final berth. It was Dabang Mumbai who kept their nerves and emerged winners beating Kalinga Lancers 2-1.
Opening seconds of the first quarter saw Kalinga Lancers immediately attack the D of Dabang Mumbai and Lucas Vila missed a golden opportunity to score for his team. Five minutes into the quarter Dabang Mumbai got their first penalty corner but was missed by Tom Boon. Both sides continued to defend flawlessly, not giving the other to score and take the lead, resulting in the session ending without any goals getting scored.
The second quarter saw Floris Evers winning a short corner for his team and Dabang Mumbai having another opportunity to score. While Tom Boon again missed converting the penalty corner, the team was lucky as Jeremy Hayward scored in counter attack taking the lead of 1-0 in 18th minute. Five minutes left in the second quarter, Kalinga Lancers got their first penalty corner of the match but Dabang Mumbai survived and the score remained at 1-0 with the latter still leading.
The third quarter witnessed more moves, more attacks and finally goals getting converted by both the teams. Immediately into the quarter, Kalinga Lancers got another penalty corner but missed out again as Dabang goalie saved easily for his team. In the 42nd minute when Dabang bagged one more penalty corner on their name, it was Harmanpreet Singh who came forward to flick. He made no mistake in ensuring it was hit hard past the goalkeeper, scoring the second goal for his team. The same minute saw Kalinga Lancers, Mohd Amir Khan score for his team by deflecting the ball with a subtle touch past the goalkeeper and opening the score for his team. The goal gave a new lease of life to Kalinga Lancers as they felt they still had a chance to get back into the game and the quarter ended 2-1 with Dabang Mumbai leading.
The fourth and final quarter yet again saw good attacks and good chances to convert but both teams failed to capitalize on the opportunities.
Dabang Mumbai won their first match of the Hero Hockey India League 2015 and bagging full five points and hope of making it to the semi-final stage.
Hero Goal of the Match – Jeremy Hayward, Dabang Mumbai
Man of the Match – Jeremy Hayward, Dabang Mumbai
Next Match on 10 February 2015
MATCH : Ranchi Rays Vs Jaypee Punjab Warriors
TIME: 1900 Hrs IST
VENUE: Ranchi
TELECAST: LIVE by Star Sports 2 Star Sports 3