Uttar Pradesh Wizards grab last moment win as they defeat Dabang Mumbai 3-2
Lucknow, 15 February 2015: Playing the last match on their home turf, hosts Uttar Pradesh Wizards defeated Dabang Mumbai 3-2 at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Lucknow. With five more points to their name the Wizards have further strengthened their standing in the ongoing Hero Hockey India League 2015 and now lead the league table.
Uttar Pradesh Wizards started off the first quarter with ball in their possession as they made swift attacks at the goal. Despite the strong defence that the home team had on the field, Dabang Mumbai managed to find a gap when Vikas Pillay sneaked in a field goal as early as in the eighth minute, handing his team a required lead of 1-0 over the Wizards. The visiting team again had a chance of scoring when they were awarded a penalty corner but due to the tight defence line-up of Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Mumbai failed to materialize the chance as first quarter closed with scores at 1-0, with Mumbai in the lead.
The hosts came out a lot more attacking in the second quarter and did not allow the opposite team to avail any further chances of scoring while their strikers kept taking frequent shots at the goal. Their efforts bore fruit in the 29th minute when Nithin Thimmaiah scored a field goal to level the score 1-1 just few minutes before the first half of the game came to an end. Dabang Mumbai tried to keep the ball in their possession but the Wizards made sure they got no such opportunity.
With maximum ball possession in the third quarter, Uttar Pradesh Wizards once again displayed an attacking game but could not reach for the nets. The Wizards had a penalty corner but due to the lack of player coordination they could not make use of the chance availed. Dabang Mumbai once again took the lead when Glenn Turner in the 44th minute gently touched the ball as it swung past the strong guards of PR Sreejesh to touch the mesh. The scoreboard showed a score of 2-1 with Dabang Mumbai ahead of the home team.
Dabang Mumbai tried to restrict Uttar Pradesh Wizards from scoring further in the last quarter as they solidified their defence line up for the same. This could not stop UP Wizards from looking out for prospects to score as Harjeet Singh found a break in the defence and sliced-in a beautiful field goal to equal the score at 2-2. In the dying moments of the game Nikkin Thimmaiah scored a stupendous field goal, the decider for this match as Uttar Pradesh Wizards clinched win in the last moments and defeated Dabang Mumbai 3-2.
Hero Goal of the Match – Harjeet Singh
Man of the Match – V R Raghunath
Next Match on 17 February 2015
MATCH : Delhi Waveriders Vs Kalinga Lancers
TIME: 1900 Hrs IST
VENUE: Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, New Delhi
TELECAST: LIVE by Star Sports 2 Star Sports 3