![\"dabang](\"images\/hockey\/dabang-mumbai.jpg\")
Chandigarh: Robert Kemperman’s field goal at the death helped Dabang Mumbai pip defending champions Jaypee Punjab Warriors 2-1 to take a giant step towards qualifying for the semi-finals of the Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) at the Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Dutchman Kemperman’s strike around 25 seconds from the final hooter ursurped the 37th-minute lead given to Punjab by drag-flicker Mink van der Weerden’s as Mumbai posted a deserved win.<\/p>\n
For the major part of the match, goalkeeper Tristian Clemons put another stellar show as he kept Mumbai at bay.<\/p>\n
Australian Clemons was tested early, with a solo effort from captain Florian Fuchs bringing out two saves from the goalkeeper in the fourth minute.<\/p>\n
Then, Affan Yousuf grabbed a ball at the left and rushed past two defenders before driving the ball at the goal, only to be parried away by a diving Clemons.<\/p>\n
Clemons was at it again as he brought out his stick to deny a deflection from Fuchs at the right post.<\/p>\n
Mumbai created two more chances till the end of the first 30 minutes as Punjab struggled for gathering steam and rhythm.<\/p>\n
Their first genuine chance came in the 30th minute when Jake Whetton slapped one out of the left post.<\/p>\n
After the change of ends, Punjab even though didn’t improve their attacking game but they did well to contain the circle penetrations of Mumbai.<\/p>\n
Matt Gohdes earned the first penalty corner of the game for Punjab and Dutch set-piece powerhouse van der Weerden fired a penalty corner to the roof, beating goalkeeper David Harte on the right to give Punjab the lead. The 28-year-old has been turning out to be brilliant replacement as he replaced injured Australian Christopher Ciriello within a week prior to the start of the tournament.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Mumbai seemed to have taken the lead in the next minute via Nilankanta Sharma but the goal was disallowed because Gurjant Singh obstructed goalkeeper Clemons.<\/p>\n
Clemons and Punjab defence, led by veteran Australian Mark Knowles, ensured that the visitors continue to miss their chances.<\/p>\n
In the dying moments, a desperate Mumbai made a final dash and Kemperman dodged his marker before sweeping the ball past Clemons on the left post to give Mumbai a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n
With this win, Jay Stacy-coached Mumbai took their points tally to 28 points from eight games, while Punjab remained in the fourth spot with 17 points from six games.<\/p>\n
Kalinga Lancers are second with 22 points from eight games, while third-placed Ranchi Rays have 18 points from eight matches.<\/p>\n
Delhi Waveriders and Uttar Pradesh Wizards occupy the fifth and sixth positions respectively.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chandigarh: Robert Kemperman’s field goal at the death helped Dabang Mumbai pip defending champions Jaypee Punjab Warriors 2-1 to take a giant step towards qualifying for the semi-finals of the Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) at the Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Dutchman Kemperman’s strike around 25 seconds from the final hooter ursurped the 37th-minute lead given to Punjab by drag-flicker Mink van der Weerden’s as Mumbai posted a deserved win.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[11674,7609,6000,3356,466,7612,21335],"class_list":["post-33258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-hockey-hockey","tag-dabang-mumbai","tag-hil","tag-hockey-india-league","tag-hockey-news","tag-indian-sports-news","tag-jaypee-punjab-warriors","tag-robert-kemperman"],"yoast_head":"\n