News 2016

9^th February, 2016, New Delhi: Delhi Waveriders witnessed another defeat today on their home turf playing against Dabang Mumbai H.C. at the Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi. Dabang Mumbai H.C. who came from behind to score four back to back field goals in the final quarter after trailing 3-0 for the first three quarters helped the visitors seal their third consecutive victory defeating Delhi Waveriders 8-3 in the 4^thCoal India Hockey India League. With this win Dabang Mumbai H.C. now jump to the fourth place in the 4^th Coal India Hockey India League points table with 19 points from seven games so far, while Delhi Waveriders dropped to the bottom of the table with 17 points to their kitty.

The match began with Delhi Waveriders pressing hard to score. The hosts, who had lost three matches in a row started their campaign today with a clear intention to win. Their pressing game along with a strong defence line of Dabang Mumbai H.C. made the game extremely competitive and exciting. Forwards from both sides showcased top class hockey along with some crucial saves from goalkeepers on both ends of the field. Dabang Mumbai H.C. however played with more control and managed some good moves on Delhi’s side but were unable to break through the defence deadlock of the hosts. The goal less first quarter saw many unsuccessful attempts to score from both the teams. The second quarter began with both the teams trying to take control of the game, but it were the hosts, Delhi Waveriders who found the gap to score their first field goal of the day through Steven Edwards in the 22^nd minute, taking the much needed 2-0 lead in the game. The rest of the second quarter saw Delhi Waveriders playing an attacking game with an occasional counter attack from Dabang Mumbai H.C. but the defenders on both sides ensured no further goal conversions for either of the teams.

The second half began with Dabang Mumbai H.C. taking charge of the game and they started pressing hard on Delhi Waveriders, but were still unsuccessful to break Delhi’s defensive deadlock. Delhi Waveriders who were trying hard to capitalise on their lead were rewarded with a penalty corner in the 39^th minute which was duly converted by Rupinder Pal Singh to give the hosts a much needed 3-0 lead in the game. The third quarter came to an end with Delhi Waveriders having a 3-0 lead over Dabang Mumbai H.C.

The fourth quarter began on a similar note with the hosts still hungry for more goals, but Dabang Mumbai H.C. had different plans and all their hard work finally showed the result through a beautiful field goal off Danish Mujtaba’s stick in the 49^th minute, giving the visitors a comeback chance in the game. The score board now stood at 2-3 still in favour of Delhi Waveriders. Dabang Mumbai H.C. got a fresh breath of life through this goal and pressed harder to score. Their efforts saw results as Dabang Mumbai H.C. scored their second goal of the day within three minutes through Nilkanta Sharma, taking a lead of 4-3 at a very critical moment of the game. This goal from Dabang Mumbai H.C. changed the perspective of the game as the visitors hunted in packs destroying Delhi’s defensive line, as they sealed the match in their favour through Manpreet who scored two successive field goals in the 57^th and 58^th minute respectively. The match ended with Dabang Mumbai H.C. winning the match 8-3 against Delhi Waveriders.

The Coal India Goal of the Match award of INR 50,000 was presented by Mr. KS Patro, Director Personnel, Eastern Coalfields Limited to Manpreet from Dabang Mumbai H.C. while Delhi Waveriders Surendra Kumar walked away with the Most Entertaining Player of the Match award. Delhi Waveriders Rupinder Pal Singh was given the Man of the Match award of INR 50,000 while Affan Yousuf from Dabang Mumbai H.C. won the Hero Emerging Player of the Match award of INR 25,000.

The next match of the 4th edition of the Coal India Hockey India League will be played between Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Jaypee Punjab Wizards at the Major Dhyanchand Stadium in Lucknow on the 10^th February 2016.

The six team annual franchise based hockey league, the flagship event of Hockey India – the apex body governing the sport in the country and sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is being played across six venues in India from 18th January – 21st February 2016.