Dabang Mumbai's winning run ends with 3-4 defeat to Kalinga Lancers

Last season's runners up Kalinga Lancers applied the brakes on Dabang Mumbai’s winning home streak with a narrow 4-3 win in a round robin Hockey India League-5 match at the MHAL Stadium in Churchgate yesterday

Mumbai’s Harmanpreet Singh (right) scores a goal against Kalinga Lancers during the HIL-5 tie yesterday. Pic /Suresh Karkera

Last season's runners up Kalinga Lancers applied the brakes on Dabang Mumbai’s winning home streak with a narrow 4-3 win in a round robin Hockey India League-5 match at the MHAL Stadium in Churchgate yesterday. 

India’s Junior World Cup star Harmanpreet Singh claimed honours for both Mumbai’s goals, while for the Lancers, skipper Moritz Fuerste and Aussie Glenn Turner found themselves on the scoresheet.

Despite the defeat, Mumbai still remain on top with 18 points. The Lancers occupy second spot with 15 points.

Both teams started off proceedings on a positive note but the first quarter ended goalless. The home side won a penalty in the 26th minute when Devindar Walmiki tripped Mumbai’s Robert Kemperman in the D. Harmanpreet converted the penalty, to break the deadlock. The goal was awarded as a field goal, which is equivalent to two goal. The Lancers entered the third quarter determined to capitalise on Mumbai, who were now looking tired. Skipper Fuerste’s strategy of playing into the legs of Mumbai worked as the visitors won two penalty corners and both were converted by the bulky German international to level the scores. A superb smash by 19-year-old Anand Lakra saw Turner flick it nicely for a goal in the 40th minute for the
visitors.

Mumbai pressed harder and won a penalty corner in the 43rd minute. Harmanpreet made no mistake to net it home with a brilliant flick.

The hosts tried hard to find the net in the last quarter, but the Lancers held on for a win.

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