Bangalore: Mumbai Marines completed a successful swing through the south by handing out a 2-1 defeat to Karnataka Lions here on Thursday to jump five spots to the top of the table with nine points in the World Series Hockey tournament.
The Marines, who had beaten Chennai Cheetahs in Chennai 4-2 on Tuesday, turned back a one-goal deficit to record their third win in five matches while the Lions extend their stay in the cellar with just three points from lone win in five outings.
The Lions went ahead in the 17th minute when Len Aiyappa converted a penalty corner, but the Marines punched back through goals by Devender Walmiki who also scored from a 42nd minute set-piece and Joga Singh from open play in the 57th.
A notable feature of the game was the inspired performance of 43-year-old Dhanraj Pillay who rolled back the years, even if briefly. Ten years ago, the hockey icon would have converted the three scoring chances that came his way on Thursday, but the Lions needed similar efforts from the younger forwards.
Barring Aiyappa's goal, there was little that separated the two teams in the opening two quarters. The Lions seemed far too eager to force penalty corners than score from open play and could convert just one of the three set-pieces.
In contrast, the Marines looked better in the approach work, but with their forwards being too individualistic, a few chances went abegging with the Lions defenders covering well.
Both goalkeepers, Adrian D'Souza (Marines) and Devesh Chauhan, were tested a couple of times but came away with some good saves.
The Marines were on the attack at the start of the second-half, and past the 42nd minute, Walmiki scored the equaliser from a penalty corner much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Mumbai stepped up the pressure and struck a second time in the 57th minute when Joga Singh cut in from the left, past a slow moving Aiyappa, before cracking the ball to sound the board between the pads of Chauhan.
Minutes earlier, D'Souza had brought off a brilliant one-handed save to deny Jarnail Singh and the block was to prove decisive.
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