Dabang Mumbai, who began their home leg with a defeat, will look for a first win of the season when they take on Kalinga Lancers in their Hockey India League 2016 match at the MHAL Stadium on Sunday.
Mumbai are at the bottom the table with three points from three matches, while Lancers are third with two points from matches Smarting from a narrow defeat at the hands of Delhi Waveriders on Friday, the host will aim to end their winless streak against the Bhubaneswar-based franchisee.
After losing two away games, Mumbai frittered a 3-2 lead to allow Waveriders’ to clinch the game in the dying minutes of the tie.
Lancers, who lost to defending champions Ranchi Rays in their last match, will go in as the favourites against the hosts.
With a field goal considered as a double strike under the new rules of the tournament, Mumbai need to be extra cautious against the Lancers who have notched up 10 out of the 25 field goals scored in the tournament so far.
Lancers have also won two out of four games; including the two teams’ first leg clash at Bhubaneswar (4-2), and the chance of avenging the earlier loss would be an extra-motivating factor, apart from chasing the elusive victory, for Mumbai.
Rays rally past Warriors PTI adds: Former India captain Sandeep Singh struck the winning goal from a penalty corner as defending champions Ranchi Rays rallied to beat Jaypee Punjab Warriors 5-4 and jump to the top position in Ranchi on Saturday.
Sandeep, who has been sidelined from the national team after 2012 Olympics sent his drag-flick crashing into the Warriors goal in the 43rd minute after both sides were locked in a stalemate deep into third quarter to give his side the fourth win in five matches.
