Kalinga lancers bounced back from their opening match loss as they beat Dabang Mumbai 4-2 in a closely contested Hockey India league game here on Thursday.
The lancers, who had lost their opening match 6-8 against Uttar Pradesh Wizards on January 18, rallied from one-goal deficit after Mumbai had taken the lead through Florian Fuchs in the 35th minute.
The home side restored parity in the 45th minute through Adam Dixon before Glenn Turner struck what turned out to be the winning goal in the 51st minute.
With the win, the lancers have secured six points from two matches, the same as Jaypee Punjab Warriors, to occupy the top of the table. This was the opening match for Mumbai. The match began on a fast-pace note and both sides attacked vigorously without any goals. Both the goalkeepers found themselves busy, pulling off some good saves.
The match continued to remain in a stalemate at the half time though both teams played some entertaining hockey. This was the first time in this edition that there was no goal till the second quarter. An alert striker Florian Fuchs gave Mumbai the lead through a field goal as he tucked in the rebound in the 35th minute. The lancers struck back in final minute of the third quarter through a stunning field goal by Dixon and an action-packed Q3 came to an end with both teams in a 2-2 deadlock.
The lancers put constant pressure on the visiting Mumbai side in final quarter and it finally paid off. The home side scored in 51st minute through Turner with Fuerste setting it up to notch up their first win of tournament.