Lancers, Mumbai to play HIL final

Dabang Mumbai and Kalinga Lancers entered the finals of the fifth edition of Hockey India League by winning their respective semi-finals against Delhi Waveriders and Uttar Pradesh Wizards here on Saturday.

Table toppers Dabang Mumbai, led by their skipper Florian Fuchs, rode on a 26th minute field goal by Dutch import Robbert Kemperman to beat Delhi Waveriders 2-0 and set up a summit clash with the Lancers in the finals here on Sunday.

Lancers defeated Uttar Pradesh Wizards via penalty shootout after both teams were locked 4-4 as the match went down to the wire. It was only in the sudden death that Lancers won 4-3.

Showing great skills, Mumbai's Dutch import Robbert Kemperman converted the opportunity into a field goal and finally scored

with an angular backhanded shot.

At the half-time, Mumbai were up 2-0, with field goal being counted as two as per the tournament rules.

In the remaining period, both teams fought hard, but the scoreline remained unchanged, even though Mumbai got a few close chances to increase their lead.

Earlier, Lancers Australian goalkeeper Andrew Charter, who won man-of-the-match for his efforts, saved several goals for his team, not only in the alloted time but also in the penalty shootout.

Akashdeep Singh of the Wizards pumped in a goal in the dying minutes of the alloted time after the Lancers were leading 4-2.

The Lancers, who were down 1-2 at the half time, came back strongly post interval to turn the tables on the Wizards.