New Delhi: Skipper Moritz Fuertse came up with an inspired show, scoring twice as Kalinga Lancers lifted their maiden Hockey India League-5 trophy breezing past in-form Dabang Mumbai 4-1 in a fast-paced final in Chandigarh on Sunday.
Mumbai, who had finished fifth last season and were in rollicking form this year, were left to rue their luck as they failed to match the intensity of their opponents on the day it mattered the most.
Kalinga, on the other hand, were fluent and displayed top stuff on the day to go one better having finished as runners-up last season to Punjab Warriors.
Fuerste led from the front taking complete charge as the Lancers put up an all-round show that blew Mumbai away.
Fuerste (30th minute, 58th) converted two penalty corners for the Lancers before Glenn Turner (18th) struck a field effort for the Odisha outfit.
For the first time finalists Mumbai, Affan Yousuf (33rd) scored the lone goal from a penalty corner variation. It was action-packed first quarter with both teams creating scoring chances but failed to make them count.
Australia’s star striker Turner scored a field goal in the 18th minute to give the Lancers a 2-0 cushion before Fuerste, Germany’s two-time Olympic champion, successfully converted a penalty corner in the last minute of the second quarter to extend their lead.
Mumbai pressed hard in the third quarter and were successful in opening the account as Yousuf scored off a penalty corner.
In the 43rd minute, Turner yet again came close to scoring but Mumbai goalkeeper David Harte put the ball away. Fuerste came back strongly and scored through a penalty corner in the 58th minute to nail the contest.
In the last quarter, Mumbai attacked desperately and almost equalised through skipper Florian Fuchs but the goal was denied.
Earlier, Agustin Mazzilli scored a late field goal to help Uttar Pradesh Wizards register a 5-4 come-from-behind win over Delhi Waveriders to claim the bronze medal.
Trailing 3-4 with three minutes remaining in the game, the Argentine striker clinically finished Florent van Aubel’s assist from a tight angle to hand Wizards the lead and their first podium finish in the tournament. But it was the former champions Delhi Waveriders who were quick to get off the blocks when Justin Reid-Ross scored from a field effort in the 15th minute.
