UP Wizards grab last-gasp win against Dabang Mumbai

Playing their last match on their home turf, Uttar Pradesh Wizards defeated Dabang Mumbai 3-2 in a Hero Hockey India League match at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here today.
With five more points to their kitty, the Wizards have further strengthened their standing at the top of the league table.
The home side started off the first quarter with more ball possession and they made swift attacks at the opposition goal. But it was Dabang Mumbai who managed to score the first goal when Vikas Pillay sneaked in a goal in the eighth minute, handing his team a 1-0 lead.

The visiting team again had a scoring chance when they were awarded a penalty corner but due to the tight defence of Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Mumbai failed to convert it.
The hosts came out a lot more attacking in the second quarter and did not allow the opposition team avail any further chances while their strikers kept taking frequent shots at the goal.
Their efforts bore fruit in the 29th minute when Nithin Thimmaiah scored a field goal to level the score 1-1 just few minutes before the first half came to an end.

With maximum ball possession in the third quarter, Uttar Pradesh Wizards once again displayed an attacking game but could not hit the nets. The Wizards got a penalty corner but due to the lack of coordination, they could not utilise the chance.

Dabang Mumbai once again took the lead in the 44th minute when Glenn Turner gently touched the ball as it swung past the strong guards of PR Sreejesh to find the net.
Dabang Mumbai tried to restrict Uttar Pradesh Wizards from scoring further in the last quarter but Harjeet Singh found a break in the defence and sliced-in a beautiful field goal to level the score at 2-2.
In the dying moments of the game, Nikkin Thimmaiah scored a stupendous field goal, the decider of the match as Uttar Pradesh Wizards clinched a 3-2 win in the last moments.