Kalinga Lancers beat Mumbai 2-1 in Hockey India League match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhuvneshwar last evening. It was an exciting match as it was an important match for both teams. The match was watched by a full capacity crowd. Kalinga lancers did not let down the home crowd as it did yesterday.
In the first quarter of the match Kalinga Lancers played some excellent hockey from the start. They earned a penalty corner that was converted into a goal Gurjinder to give Kalinga Lancers a 1-0 lead. Mumbai also got a penalty corner but were not able to convert the goal. At the end of first half it was 1-0 in favor of Kalinga Lancers.
In the second quarter Kalinga Lancers got another penalty corner. Again it was Gurjinder to hit a powerful flick and convert it into a goal to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. Mumbai created numerous chances on Kalinga goal but did not succeed. At the end of second quarter it was 2-0 in favor of hosts. While Kalinga Lancers had converted 2 out 2 penalty corners, Mumbai Dabangs had failed to convert even one out of four Penalty corners into a goal.
The third quarter also began well for Kalinga Lancers as they made powerful hit but was well saved by Adrian D Souza the goal keeper f Mumbai in the 3rd minute. In 4.30 minute Adrian D Souza made another excellent save. In 4.48 minute Mumbai earned a penalty corner. Harmanpreet converted the penalty corner into a goal to reduce the gap to 2-1. The speed of the drag flick was 122 kmp/h. In 7.45 minute Mumbai Indian made a valiant attempt at the goal but Kalinga Lancer’s goal- keeper made a good save. Soon after that in 10.09 Kalinga Lancer goalkeeper made another good save. In 10.12 minute Mumbai earned a penalty corner but were not able convert the chance. At the end of 3rd quarter it was 2-1 in favor of Kalinga Lancers.
In the 4th quarter Mumbai made the first positive move of the quarter and were aggressive throughout the quarter. They earned a penalty corner but were well saved by Kalinga Lancer defender. In 3.48 minute Gurjinder made a good save in the back. Mumbai tried all the shots but Kalinga Lancer’s defense was strong. In the dying moments of the match Mumbai were awarded a penalty corner but Kalinga Lancers asked for the review. The decision was reversed by the third umpire saying that there was no contact of ball with the foot. Dodging the ball for last 9 seconds Kalinga Lancer won the match 2-1.
With this win Kalinga Lancers have earned 16 points and have kept their chances of reaching semi finals alive if they beat Punjab and Delhi, and also hope that Mumbai lose their matches.