HIL 2016: Kalinga Lancers come from behind to defeat Dabang Mumbai

ByArun S Kaimal, SportsCafe Editor

01/21/2016

Kalinga Lancers and Dabang Mumbai were the bottom two teams in last year's Hockey India League points table, but they produced an entertaining game at Bhubaneswar on Thursday. The home side showed a lot of character to win the game 4-2, after conceding the lead in the third quarter.

Both teams went in with a defensive-minded 5-2-3 formation in this game. Kalinga, who conceded four field goals against UP Warriors, were understandably conservative in their approach in this game, while it seems like Mumbai were simply reacting to the fact that Kalinga looked dangerous going forward in their opening match.

In the first quarter, both the teams were evenly matched. Mumbai had a bit more of the ball, while Kalinga made more penetrations in the circle. The home team did look more dangerous in attack though, and looked likelier to take the lead.

The second quarter was completely dominated by the home side, and it was only the brilliance of goalie David Harte which prevented them from scoring. In the seventh minute, Kalinga won their first penalty corner, however the Irish goalkeeper, who is the second most costliest goalkeeper after PR Sreejesh, kept out Gurjinder Singh's low and powerful drag flick.

Harte made three more saves, including a double save right at the end of the second quarter, as Kalinga made five circle penetrations and dominated the possession 59% - 41%.

In the third quarter, Mumbai came out of the blocks with a bit more attacking intent. They failed to convert a penalty corner in the third minute. However, just a minute later, star forward Florian Fuchs provided the lead to the away side.

Harmanpreet Singh picked out Gurjant Singh on the right, and the forward ran into the circle, before testing the goalkeeper with a reverse flick. Andrew Charter, in the Kalinga goal, managed to keep out his shot. Fuchs, though, was at hand to convert from the rebound.

Despite being the second best team for most of the game, Mumbai took the lead, and they stayed there for few more minutes, with Harte denying Kalinga from another penalty corner. Mumbai were also denied from a penalty corner, with Charter keping out Harmanpreet's drag flick. Kalinga topped it by scoring immediately at the other end.

The home side finally managed to get past Harte, as Englishman Adam Dixon got on the score sheet. Malak Singh received a long pass from the back on the left wing, and he picked out a brilliantly-timed run from Dixon inside the circle. Dixon took a touch, before firing the ball into the net.

Kalinga preserved the momentum they gained towards the end of the third quarter, and six minutes into the fourth quarter, they took the lead of the first time. It was a perfectly-worked team goal, with the move starting from the back.

Lalit Kumar Upadhyay picked out Glenn Turner on the right wing, and the Australian forward ran nearly half a length of the pitch, before passing the ball to Moritz Fuertz at the edge of the circle. The German midfielder ran with the ball to pull out the goalkeeper, before laying it on a plate for Turner to score into an empty net.

Unlike their opening game, Kalinga managed to hold on to their lead this time around and gained a well-deserved 4-2 win.

(*Based on the new rules in HIL, every field goal will be counted as two)