Kalinga Lancers registered its first win in the Hero Hockey India League with a 2-1 victory over Dabur Mumbai Magicians at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday.
Lancers went ahead in the seventh minute through Argentine Lucas Villa.
The Lancers continued to dominate and got the second in the 26th when Aussie Aron Zalewski scored despite being outnumbered inside the striking circle.
Magicians reworked their strategy during the break and began to have more possession. The pressure did work as the Lancers conceded a penalty in the 38th minute which was gleefully converted by Glenn Turner.
The final quarter was the most entertaining with both teams in full flow. Magicians earned its first penalty corner in the 53rd minute and Gurjinder Singh’s push was saved by a confident Harjot. In the next minute Zalewsky was denied by Sreejesh.
The host earned three penalty corners in quick succession but failed to utilise even one as Man-of-the-Match Harjot stood like a rock. Zalewski was credited with the golden goal of the match.
Narrow win for RhinosAt Lucknow, defending champion Ranchi Rhinos eked out a 2-1 win over Uttar Pradesh Wizards to consolidate its position in the points table.
The results:
Kalinga Lancers 2 (Lucas Villa 7, Aron Zalewski 26) bt Dabur Mumbai Magicians 1 (Glenn Turner 38).
At Lucknow: Ranchi Rhinos 2 (Ashley Jackson 18, Barry Middleton 26) bt Uttar Pradesh Wizards 1 (Edward Ockenden 50).
