Uttar Pradesh Wizards would be going all out for a win and seal a spot in the semifinals when they take on Dabang Mumbai, already out of reckoning for a knock-out place, in the Hockey India League game tomorrow.
The two teams would face off in their last round robin clash at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium here after suffering losses in their previous away games against defending champions and league toppers Ranchi Rays.
While UP were trounced 6-0, Mumbai were edged 1-0 by Ranchi which helped the title holders to become the first team to reach the semis in this year's edition.
UP, who have 23 points with tomorrow's game in hand, had one day more than Mumbai, who played yesterday and lost, to recover from their exertions on the field of play and off the field by travelling to this metropolis.
The visitors, thus, seem to hold a slight edge over the hosts who will be playing for pride, having blown away their chance to reach the last four for the third year running.
How much of motivation will Mumbai possess, after finishing their match last evening and travelling to their home venue, will be a major factor in determining the outcome.
Mumbai, who have garnered 20 points prior to their concluding game, would certainly want to end their campaign on a winning note and UP cannot take them lightly.
UP possess top-class penalty corner experts in Argentinian Gonzala Peillat, who is the team's highest scorer in the tournament (6 goals) and was also the highest scorer in the 2014 World Cup, other than Indias's V R Raghunath and another top defender in Holland's Jolie Wouter.
India's no. 1 'keeper P R Sreejesh will stand under the visitors' bar and they also have Akashdeep Singh, Tobias Hauke who was part of the Olympic Games gold medal winning German teams of 2008 and 2012 and veteran Australian Jamie Dwyer to lead their attack with midfield promptings from the likes of Chinglensana Singh.
All in all, the visitors have the wherewithal to trouble the under-performing Mumbai who will need to put behind the disappointment of a failed campaign to come out trumps.
