Dabang Mumbai beat Jaypee Punjab Warriors in a dramatic match number 20 of the Coal India Hockey India League at the Hockey Stadium, Chandigarh. Mumbai overcame a determined Punjab defence to bag five points and enter semifinals for the first time in league’s history.

Mumbai were the more attacking side of the two throughout the game.

Tristan Clemons stood like a wall in front of his goal and nullified several Mumbai attempts on the goal. The first two quarters of the game did not see any goals as both the teams preferred to play safe.

Mink Van Der Warden scored the first goal of the game in the 7th minute of third quarter off a penalty corner. His top-corner scoop gave no opportunity to the Mumbai goalkeeper as Punjab went 1-0 up. This was his 5th goal of this season’s Coal India Hockey India League. Two minutes later, Nilakanta scored a field goal for Mumbai but it was disallowed for an obstruction of the goalkeeper.

Jaypee Punjab Warriors did not concede any penalty corners throughout the game.

In the fourth quarter, Dabang Mumbai pressed high in search for their first goal of the game. Jaypee Punjab Warriors lead Dabang Mumbai till the last minute of the game. With just 40 seconds remaining on the clock, a miscued scoop from Mark Knowles fell to Mumbai’s Robbert Kemperman. Kemperman smashed the ball home past the resilient Tristan Clemons to score a field goal, equalling two goals, and win the match 2-1 for Dabang Mumbai.

Dabang Mumbai became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the Coal India Hockey India League following this win. They lead the standings with 28 points while Jaypee Punjab Warriors stayed at the fourth position with 17 points.

Tristan Clemons was adjudged the Man of the Match for a second consecutive match for his efforts under the bar.

The next match of the league will be played between Delhi Waveriders and Kalinga Lancers on 12th February at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi.