<p>Winless Mumbai Magicians will take on fourth-placed Uttar Pradesh Wizards in their third home game in the Hockey India League (HIL) at the MHA Mahindra Stadium here on Wednesday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The first leg clash between these two bottom-placed teams, perhaps, offers the best chance for the struggling hosts to break their seven-game losing streak and increase their points tally to 12. <br />Their return leg is also scheduled at the same venue here on February 5. <br /><br />It has been tough going for the Ric Charlesworth-coached Mumbai in the five-team league so far, first with four Pakistani recruits having to return home without playing a game and the new-look outfit wobbling its way.<br /><br />The latest loss, by 1-2 margin to Ranchi Rhinos in their away game on Monday, has dented their hopes of entering the semifinals further. <br /><br />However, Mumbai have picked up a point in each of their seven losses so far which has kept their chances alive, although by a narrow margin. <br /><br />“Although we have been trying really hard, we lose our games by a 1 or 2 goal margin. Our defence against Rhinos was much better and the team held the opposition at bay for a long period before they could break into our D,” Charlesworth had said after the team’s seventh straight defeat on Monday night.</p>
<p>Winless Mumbai Magicians will take on fourth-placed Uttar Pradesh Wizards in their third home game in the Hockey India League (HIL) at the MHA Mahindra Stadium here on Wednesday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The first leg clash between these two bottom-placed teams, perhaps, offers the best chance for the struggling hosts to break their seven-game losing streak and increase their points tally to 12. <br />Their return leg is also scheduled at the same venue here on February 5. <br /><br />It has been tough going for the Ric Charlesworth-coached Mumbai in the five-team league so far, first with four Pakistani recruits having to return home without playing a game and the new-look outfit wobbling its way.<br /><br />The latest loss, by 1-2 margin to Ranchi Rhinos in their away game on Monday, has dented their hopes of entering the semifinals further. <br /><br />However, Mumbai have picked up a point in each of their seven losses so far which has kept their chances alive, although by a narrow margin. <br /><br />“Although we have been trying really hard, we lose our games by a 1 or 2 goal margin. Our defence against Rhinos was much better and the team held the opposition at bay for a long period before they could break into our D,” Charlesworth had said after the team’s seventh straight defeat on Monday night.</p>