Dabang Mumbai News

New Delhi, 18 February 2015: The last league match of the ongoing Hero Hockey India League 2015 will see Jaypee Punjab Warriors locking horns with Dabang Mumbai on the turf of International Hockey Stadium, Mohali tomorrow 19 February 2015. With this game, the pool phase of the League will come to an end giving way to the high intensity semi finals and eventually the imperative finals scheduled to be played on 21 and 22 February 2015, at New Delhi.

The two teams had clashed earlier in the League at Dabang Mumbai’s home ground in Mumbai where the hosts had managed to hold the mighty Warriors at 3-3 for a draw, consequently splitting the points. The very last pool match will again witness the two teams as they take on each other in yet another game where Jaypee Punjab Warriors will intend to register a win before they play the semis, while, currently sitting at the bottom of the points table Dabang Mumbai will look at finishing their stint in the League with a win.

With an impressive performance in the League, Jaypee Punjab Warriors has enjoyed a successful spell as of now and is regarded as one of the title contenders this season. With thirty points to their tally, the Warriors will now step out to play the last game on their home turf this League with a motive to record a win and add five more points to their tally. By means of utmost player coordination and tight defence, the Jamie Dwyer led team is all set to give a tough challenge to the opponents in the impending game.

On the other hand, with a lone win and 14 points, Dabang Mumbai is seated at the bottom of the League table, failing to reserve a place in the semi finals. The Valentin Altenburg coached team will be playing its concluding game of the Hero Hockey India League 2015 against the Warriors on their domicile ground and will be aiming at ending their campaign with a win.

Speaking on the upcoming match, Head Coach of Dabang Mumbai, Valentin Altenburg said, “This is the last match for us in the League but we will play to our best with a free mind. The team, in spite of being new and having certain loopholes, has performed well in the League and has improved considerably. We hope we will have a much better season next year. The boys will play the last game with full enthusiasm and enjoy each minute of it.”

Commenting on the last League match, Head Coach of Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Barry Dancer said, “This is our last game before we enter the semi finals. The team has been performing really well and despite a loss in the previous match against Ranchi Rays, they have shown improvement in all areas. The boys are confident and I am sure they will play to their best and put up a good match for the home crowd tomorrow.”

Excited to play against Dabang Mumbai, Jaypee Punjab Warriors Captain Jamie Dwyer said, “Dabang Mumbai has been playing well and it will be a tough game altogether. We will give our best efforts to restrict them and ensure a win in the last league match before we proceed to the semi finals. We had some loopholes in our defence in our earlier game against the Ranchi Rays and we have worked on it to make sure it isn’t replicated in the next matches.”

Jaypee Punjab Warriors will play Dabang Mumbai on 19 February 2015 at 1900 HRS IST, at International Hockey Stadium, Mohali.

The match will be telecast LIVE on Star Sports.