Experimental rule yet to make a difference: Jay Stacy

The experimental rule on field goals introduced in the ongoing Hockey India League (HIL) was yet to make a difference to the eventual results of the matches so far, said Dabang Mumbai's Australian coach, Jay Stacy, today.
"There has not been a result in the tournament so far (decided by the new rule). If it's the old rule, it will still be the same result. Until that happens it's been normal so far," said the four-time Olympian ahead of his team's third round game tomorrow against Delhi Wave Riders.
Stacy said it did not appear that the players were trying to score more field goals than normal in a hockey game, though the rule was in the back of their thought process.

"I'm not sure if the teams consciously are going for more field goals. I am sure it's in the back of their minds.
"The calibre of these players is such that they want to make the best decision and sometimes the best decision is to win the penalty corner. Penalty corner is a great skill to watch," said Stacy.
Though Mumbai have lost both their previous games, by 2-4 to Kalinga Lancers and 1-3 to Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Stacy was upbeat about the team's chances in the first of three back-to-back home games, against Delhi, as the team was in full force now.

"We played good hockey and created chances but did not convert those. In the old scoring system we lost 2-1 in both matches. If we were getting completely outplayed or did not get scoring chances, it's a big problem. But that is not the case. They were close matches.

"This is almost the first session we almost had the whole group. (Johan) Bjorkman (of Sweden) was ill, now he's getting back to full fitness. I expect him to play a big part tomorrow night.
"This is the first match at home. The boys are excited and hopefully the lessons we had learnt from our road trip and our practise sessions would be put into practise now," he said.

"Like Ranchi, we would like to build a hold with the crowds in Mumbai by playing attractive hockey," he added.