Mumbai: Nikkin Thimmaiah’s late goal enabled Dabang Mumbai hold former champions Ranchi Rays 3-3 in the opening match of the Coal India Hockey India League here on Saturday.
The third quarter was action-packed with Rays’ forward Simranjeet Singh putting his side 2-0 up with a field goal. His junior India team-mate Harmanpreet Singh reduced the margin with a penalty corner conversion for Mumbai but German forward Christopher Ruhr who assisted in the first goal, converted a penalty to gain a two-goal advantage again for the visiting side.
Thimmaiah nullified the advantage with a late field goal to help split points. As promised by coach Harendra Singh, Ranchi Rays played attacking hockey from the word go to put pressure on the hosts. Midway through the first quarter, Mumbai defender Gurmail Singh was tackled by Manpreet Singh (Sr) near the centreline and he made speedy surge towards the D but Tyron Pereira made a crucial interception to avert danger. In the second quarter, the Rays earned the first short corner of the game and Australian striker Trent Mitton’s ground attempt was well kept away by Dabang’s Irish goalkeeper David Harte. Mumbai also attacked and looked threatening but Emmanuel Stockbroekx’s attempt went wide. The hosts were reduced to 10 men when Stockbroekx was yellow carded.
Simranjeet broke the deadlock three minutes into the third quarter, finding the right corner of the net on a cross from Ruhr, the field strike counting as two goals. Dabang Mumbai though hit back to reduce the margin through Harmanpreet when he coverted their first penalty.
