First win not too far away: Dabang Mumbai coach Stacy

DESPITE SUFFERING THEIR FOURTH SUCCESSIVE LOSS in the Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) on Sunday, Dabang Mumbai head coach Jay Stacy remained positive and said victory was not too far away for the side.

A dominant Kalinga Lancers beat hosts 6-4 at the Mahindra Hockey Stadium here on Sunday. With the win, Lancers climbed to the second spot with 17 points from five games, having won three and lost two while Mumbai were at the bottom of the table with four points from as many games.

“All the four games were close matches. The result could have gone either way. I am positive and I am sure victory is not too far away from us,” Stacy said at the post-match press conference here.

The home side was 0-4 down but came back strongly to level things up. But a late field goal by Lancers saw the visitors snatch victory in style.

“We are under no pressure. We have to just execute our plans and focus on our task at hand. We have to now do our homework well ahead of the next match,” he said.

Mumbai next face Ranchi Rays on February 3 in their third home match.

Mumbai skipper Matthew Swann said he was disappointed with the loss and hoped to deliver well in the next games.

“We are happy with our goals that we scored but at the end it was disappointing. A silly mistake at the end did cost us the match. We have to be back to drawing board and do well in the next games,” Swann said.

On the other hand, Lancers striker Glenn Turner was happy with their third win of the season and vowed to continue their winning run.

“Mumbai played well today. We were 4-0 up but they came back well and levelled it up. Then we scored the final field goal to win it,” Turner said.

“As a team we are happy to keep the winning run going and I hope we will deliver the same in the next matches,” the Australian added.

Lancers will next take on Delhi Waveriders on February 5 in Bhubaneswar.