Ranchi extend hot streak, beat Mumbai

RANCHI: Ranchi Rays made their dream home run a reality but not before some anxious last minutes in their last league-stage match of the HIL at Astro Turf Hockey stadium here on Sunday . Riding on a strike from the penalty corner by skipper Ashely Jackson in the 37th minute, the home team had to weather constant assault from Dabang Mumbai, as well as four rival penalty corners in the last 5 minutes of the tie, to script a perfect record at home.team had to be content with one point.
While Dabang's Florian Fuchs created the first good chance, the first quarter belonged to the home team with Barry Middleton and Flyn Ogilvie making exciting inroads into the opposition half.Simranjit Singh failed to connect to a Middleton pass in front of goal in the 5th minute. The quarter ended in a stalemate, as did the next.
The hosts, however, got an opportunity to break the deadlock when Sumit made a perfect through to Arjun Halappa inside the D. But Jeremy Hayward managed to parry it just wide of the net. Harmanjeet, too, created a golden opportunity for Dabang Mumbai. He passed the ball to Gurjant Singh who sent it to Yousuf. But Yousuf 's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Lovell.
The rest of the first half saw both teams vying for the first goal but the score stayed at 0-0 at half-time.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 37th minute.The home team won the first penalty corner of the match through Sumit. Middleton took the corner and Jackson converted it with a drag to score his 14th goal of the season. Even a change in tactics by the visitors could not earn them the equalizer. Manpreet Singh and Kothajit Singh were brilliant for the home team and created some fine moves while Amir Khan showed just how good his dribbling skills are. The third quarter ended in a one-two play from Middleton and Mitton that almost earned the hosts a field goal.
Yousuf kept trying and was ably assisted in his moves by Mujtaba, but all their efforts went in vain.