Mumbai, January 23 :Hosts Dabang Mumbai and last year’s runners-up Punjab Warriors played out an exciting 3-3 draw in their opening game of the Hero Hockey India League at the Mahindra Stadium here today. Mumbai went ahead twice, only to see Punjab draw level on both occasions. And then, the visitors took lead through Sandeep Singh to raise visions of a Punjab win. But the home team scored in the final minute through Chinglensana Singh to earn a draw.

The first goal was scored in the first quarter by Mumbai’s junior India international Harmanpreet Singh (7th minute) via a penalty corner, but Jamie Dwyer scored an equaliser in the 32nd minute.

Mumbai soaked up some pressure in the opening quarter before starting to assert. With the half line providing excellent passes, Australian Glenn Turner and Belgian Tom Boon — along with Dutchman Floris Evers — posed constant danger to the Punjab citadel.

Punjab came into their own early in the second quarter and came close to scoring twice. On the first occasion, Yousuf Affan’s deflection went wide off the far post, and then Mumbai’s Irish custodian David Harte foiled SV Sunil’s goalmouth deflection in the nick of time.

The teams kept pressing hard, until the last minute of the match when the hosts netted an equaliser.

UP Wizards hold Delhi Waveriders to a draw

Lucknow: Defending champions Delhi Waveriders were held to a 2-2 draw by Uttar Pradesh Wizards here today. After a barren first quarter, UP Wizards took lead through a penalty stroke in the second quarter.

Waveriders, however, made a quick comeback with Steven Edwards scoring the leveller. Delhi went ahead again but the home team home side managed to level the scoreline with another field goal. — PTI