Mohali: Punjab Warriors dished out a commendable performance to thrash Dabur Mumbai Magicians 5-3 to register their first win in the second edition of the Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) here on Sunday.
Putting behind their defeat against Delhi, Punjab Warriors made a promising start to the encounter and created trouble for the Mumbai defense from the onset.
Agustin Mazzilli put Punjab Warriors ahead in the seventh minute by scoring from a rebound after young Affan Yousuf's initial shot was saved by Mumbai goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.
Punjab Warriors got a golden opportunity to extend their lead minutes later when they earned a penalty corner but they failed to utilize the chance.
Undeterred by the goal, the Mumbai outfit came back strongly and scored two goals within a span of three minutes to take the lead.
First Mark Gleghorne (15th minute) converted a penalty corner and then Ravipal Singh (17th) scored a field goal to give Mumbai Magicians 2-1 lead.
The Punjab side pressed hard for the equalizer in the second quarter and finally managed to get it in the 30th minute when Malak Singh scored with a field effort.
But nine minutes later, Mumbai Magicians restored their lead through Vinaya Vakkaliga.
It was not to be Mumbai Magicians' day as the Warriors went all out thereafter and precisely converted three penalty corners to hand Punjab their first win in the tournament.
Punjab's star drag-flicker Sandeep Singh first converted a penalty corner in the 40th minute and then Australian Christopher Ciriello (47th) and Dharamvir Singh (67th) made use of two more set pieces to open Punjab Warriors' account in the points tally.
Punjab Warriors, who had lost 1-3 to Delhi Waveriders in the tournament opener, secure five points from the win, while Dabur Mumbai Magicians garnered one point from the encounter.
The Warriors will next play debutants Kalinga Lancers in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, while Mumbai Magicians will be up against Uttar Pradesh Wizards here on Wednesday.
