Dabang Mumbai head coach Jay Stacy on Wednesday praised his side for delivering their best which helped them outclass table toppers Ranchi Rays 7-5 and pocket their first win in the Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) at the Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Mumbai.
After four consecutive defeats, Mumbai came back strongly to beat the defending champions, Ranchi. Despite the loss, Ranchi maintained their top spot with 22 points from six games with four wins and two losses, while Mumbai, despite the win, are still at the bottom of the table with nine points from five games, having won one and lost four.
"The mood was positive today and the result says it all. After being down to ten men it was difficult for us to come back but our players were exceptionally good tonight," Stacy said at the post-match press conference.
"We kept things simple and that helped us with the reward. All the last games were very close and we could not manage a win but today we went the extra mile to get our first win. Luck was by our side today. I am happy with the victory," he said.
Mumbai skipper Matthew Swann was delighted to register their first win of the season.
"Despite being 10 men we played very well to win the game and register our first win. Now from here on, we have to carry the momentum going in the next matches," Swann said.
