Ranchi Rays, the host, came from behind to hold Dabang Mumbai 2-2 in a Hero Hockey India League match at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Wednesday.
The draw left the Ranchi outfit with nine points from four games. After a cautious start both teams kept probing each other rather than launching into high speed attacks. As the first quarter drew to a close, Mumbai came alive striking twice through Glenn Turner who diverted a Harmanpreet Singh shot into the goal in the 12th minute.
The visitors scored three minutes later through their 16-year-old sensation Santa Singh whose shot brooked no response.
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Dabang Mumbai, with a 2-0 lead after the first quarter, was in for a surprise as the home side stormed back in the second quarter with speedy thrusts. A terrific reverse hit by Daniel Beale in the 16th minute helped Ranchi reduce the lead. The home side exerted tremendous pressure till half-time but could not taste further success.
Ranchi Rays continued to press in the third quarter and it was left to its captain Ashley Jackson, who was adjudged the player-of-the-match, to produce the second goal off a penalty corner to draw level in the 37th minute.
The fourth quarter produced exciting hockey but the defence of the both the teams held firm. Ranchi goaltender Tyler Lovell dived to his right to make a brilliant save off a shot from Chinglensana Singh.
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At the other end, Adrian D’Souza responded with alacrity when a Mandeep Singh shot slammed into the pads, deflected onto the near upright and rolled free.
Ranchi Rays had the opportunity to notch up its first win of the season but that was not to be.
The result: Ranchi Rays 2 (Daniel Beale 16, Ashley Jackson 37) drew with Dabang Mumbai 2 (Glenn Turner 12, Santa Singh 15).
Player-of-the-match: Ashley Jackson (Ranchi Rays).
Correction
>>The sports page report, “Ranchi rallies to hold Mumbai” (Jan 29, 2015), said Ranchi Rays had the opportunity to notch up its first win of the season but that was not to be . Actually, Ranchi had won a match.