KALINGA LANCERS WIN HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE
Fuerste on fire as Lancers claim title in front of packed stadium in Chandigarh
Germany’s Moritz Fuerste scored a double as the Kalinga Lancers claimed their maiden Coal India Hockey India League trophy in front of a capacity crowd at the Chandigarh Hockey Stadium.
Fuerste scored twice (30’ and 59’) from penalty corners after Glenn Turner opened the scoring with a field goal in the 18th minute to help the Lancers claim their first ever title, winning the showpiece final 4-1.
It was a wonderful moment for the Lancers – coached by New Zealand women's coach and former Australia international Mark Hager – who went one better than the runners up position that they achieved in 2016 to win the fifth edition of the competition.
Dabang Mumbai, who had topped the table at the end of the league phase, showed great consistency through the competition and gave an excellent showing in the opening stages of the final to keep Kalinga’s defence busy.
Though the first quarter ended in a stalemate, Kalinga Lancers made quick progress in the second period when Australia forward Turner scored from open play following a brilliant assist by skipper Fuerste in the 18th minute. With field goals counting double in the HIL, the strike established a 2-0 lead for the Lancers.
A perfectly-executed penalty corner drag-flick from Fuerste made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time, beating FIH Goalkeeper of the Year 2016 David Harte to give his side much-needed breathing space ahead of the third and fourth quarters. It was Fuerste’s ninth penalty corner goal of this year’s HIL, and his 11th goal in total.
Dabang Mumbai hit back after half time when Affan Yousuf scored a close-range penalty corner to make the score 3-1, with Yousuf and Nikkin Thimmaiah going close before Kieran Govers had a strike ruled out three minutes from time. Kalinga’s killer blow arrived with just over a minute of the match remaining, with Fuerste producing another wonderful penalty corner effort to guarantee his side the title.
Earlier in the day, the Uttar Pradesh Wizards beat Delhi Waveriders 5-4 in a closely-fought encounter to take home the third-place award.
Final standings
1: Kalinga Lancers
2: Dabang Mumbai
3: Uttar Pradesh Wizards
4: Delhi Waveriders
5: Ranchi Rays
6: Jaypee Punjab Warriors
February 27, 2017
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