Press Trust of India
Mumbai, Jan 24: England’s Barry Middleton scored twice in the third quarter, to pilot Ranchi Rays to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Dabang Mumbai in their Hockey India League encounter at the Mahindra Stadium here Saturday.
Mumbai took the lead through their Belgian forward Tom Boon in the eighth minute of the third quarter, after a goalless first half, which was neutralised two minutes later by Middleton with a strike from close. Middleton then scored the match winner in the 45th minute of play before Ranchi kept the Mumbai attackers at bay in the last quarter to emerge victorious.
It was the visitors’ first win in two games after their 3-6 loss to Kalinga Lancers two days ago while for Mumbai, who drew 3-3 Friday with last year’s runners-up Punjab Warriors, it was their first loss in two games. The home team clearly showed signs of fatigue playing for the second day in succession. Ranchi took control of the proceedings for the major part of the first two quarters and made several forays into the Mumbai half but the host defenders held firm.
Barring a few moves down the right flank, Mumbai were hardly in the picture in the first two quarters. They also wasted a penalty corner. Their star player, Australian Glenn Turner, was largely inconspicuous in the opening half before coming into the picture more later.
Ranchi, who combined better than their rivals with Manpreet Singh catching the eye in midfield with his incisive passes, got two short corner awards, but failed to capitalise.
The pace picked up in the third quarter and it was no surprise to see the deadlock broken. Mumbai scored first when their Belgian forward Boon scored a fine goal with a powerful scoop from just inside the striking circle to sound the board.
Two minutes later, Ranchi got the equaliser when Middleton lay in wait near the left post to push the ball in after it came to him off the upright. And he made it 2-1 in Ranchi’s favour in the 45th minute of the game with a superb reverse-hit to the right of Mumbai custodian David Harte after he was left free to take the shot by the shoddy defending.