HIL 2016: M.No.16:Thrilling win for struggling Mumbai against all odds

After suffering four close encounters, Dabang Mumbai was just looking for one long eluding victory to face the long drawn out Hockey India League further, and just got that with a thrilling over Ranchi outfit which, ironically, won the last four matches. The way the hosts Dabang Mumbai eked out 7-5 victory over juggernauted Ranchi Rays is really enticing.

Dabang lost its main striker Affan Yousuf a couple of minutes before the half time on account of furious umpire Ripudaman Sharma flashing a red card for wilful attack on the marker. This was a serious punishment.

This came after Harmanpreet Singh, who is increasingly becoming an embarrassment for Dabang, missed out a stroke, pushing the ball straight into the left leg of just substituted goalie Australian import Lovells. He conceded some penalty corners too.

These two set backs occurred after old guard Diwakar Ram stunned Ranchi in the 11th minute with a great thundering flick into the cage off a penalty corner after the pushed ball was supplied to him with a guile body spin. As in the past matches, Dabang struck first. But within 7 minutes ever green Ashley Jackson equalized (1-1).

Mathew Swann posted a guile field goal to give the hosts 3-1 lead in the 21st minute, which survived next 17 minutes till Sarvanjit did a wonder.

In between Ashley again struck to give his side first time lead (3-4).

Nilakanta Sharma, struck off hard working German import Florian Fuchs with a strong forehand to give great lead for the hosts (41st minute 5-4).

When the match was tantalizingly poised, Florian Fuchs latched on to rebound from goalie to give Dabang a good lead that sustained (48th min 7-4). It was one goal that should have rattled the morale of the visitors, as it came almost a solo.

In the last quarter, Ranchi went for full throat. It got many penalty corners. On three occasions, the tem went for long push and intended conversion of PC into field goal attempts.

Those did not work.

Sandeep Singh, who was briefly on the field, made his presence felt with a penalty corner goal straightaway, taking the score to 5-7 from 4-7.

Ranchi Rays wanted a field goal in the last three minutes, but it would not come as Dabang did not give up attacking style.

Its first win for Dabang Mumbai in five matches while it is first loss for Ranchi in the last five encounters.