New Delhi: Hosts Ranchi Rays came from behind to beat league leaders Dabang Mumbai 7-3 in an exciting match of the Hockey India League Season 5 on Thursday. This was Ranchi’s second win this season.
Reeling from a 0-7 hammering at the hands of Jaypee Punjab Warriors a day before, Ranchi came up with a splendid show on the day that saw end-to-end action. A Florian Fuchs (2nd minute) strike was negated by Ashley Jackson’s brilliant field goal three minutes later as the teams were locked 2-2 in the opening five minutes.
Thereafter, it were Ranchi who controlled the pace of the game and came up with some lovely goals that enthralled the capacity crowd. Mohammad Amir Khan put the hosts 4-2 ahead in the 16th minute after an entertaining quarter where both teams threatened to score, before Jackson (49th) added another. Mumbai looked dangerous when Affan Yousuf pulled one back in the 51st minute before Imran Khan found the net for Ranchi to effectively kill the contest.
