Furste inspires Kalinga to stun high-flying Mumbai 4-3 in HIL

Mumbai, Jan 31: Captain Moritz Furste's twin pelty corner conversions inspired Kalinga Lancers to end their two-match losing streak as they stunned high-flying Dabang Mumbai 4-3 in the Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) at the Mahindra Hockey Stadium here on Tuesday.

The German talisman struck twice in the first three minutes of the third quarter to pull Kalinga back on level terms after Harmanpreet Singh's successful conversion of a pelty stroke incurred from field play had given the hosts a 2-0 lead in the 27th minute.

Glenn Turner's 40th minute deflection goal meant that Kalinga led 4-2. But Harmanpreet got into the act again with a successful pelty corner conversion to reduce the gap to one in the 43rd minute.

However, Kalinga held on to the lead with an improved defensive display as they cemented their second spot with 15 points from five matches, while Mumbai remained on top with 17 points from five matches. Ranchi Rays are third with 10 points, while Uttar Pradesh Wizards, with six points from two matches, are fourth.

Kalinga, who had conceded 17 goals during two back-to-back losses to Ranchi Rays and UP Wizards, looked determined to improve and pressed higher early, forcing the Mumbai outfit to absorb pressure.

The visitors played with a better structure, with the players not leaving their positions like they did in the two losses and the strikers too charged back to help their defenders. IANS