Kalinga Lancers Clinch Maiden Hockey India League Title

Kalinga Lancers Clinch Maiden Hockey India League Title

Kalinga Lancers came out with a stupendous(विस्मयकारी) performance(प्रदर्शन) to defeat Dabang Mumbai 4-1 and clinch their maiden Hockey India League (HIL) title in Chandigarh on Sunday. The Lancers, who finished runners-up last season, went one better to clinch (कड़ी) the 2017 crown. Australian forward Glenn Turner helped the Bhubaneswar-based team to take a 2-0 lead with his 18th minute field goal while German great and Lancers captain Moritz Fuerste scored in the 30th minute to extend the lead to 3-0.

India international Affan Yousuf pulled one back in the third quarter for Dabang Mumbai, via a penalty corner in the 33rd minute, but it was not enough as minutes from finish Fuerste put the final nail in the coffin to convert (बदलना)another penalty corner and make the scoreline 4-1.

Dabang Mumbai and Kalinga Lancers had finished first and second respectively in the league phase of the tournament. Two points are awarded for a field goal while only one is given for scoring via a penalty corner.

They finished second best last season, but Kalinga Lancers meant business this year. Meanwhile for Dabang Mumbai, this was their maiden final. Earlier in the day, 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 in the fifth edition of the tournament.