(MOREPIC1) FACE2NEWS/BENGALURU
U Mumba’s solid defensive unit came to the party yet again and as did the likes of Guman Singh and Jai Bhagwan, as they survived a couple of scares against the Haryana Steelers enroute picking up a crucial win in the vivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru on Friday. The U Mumba side won the nail-biter 32-31.
While Guman Singh picked up the first points for U Mumba, it was Meetu Sharma who got the Haryana Steelers off the mark. U Mumba’s defensive unit didn't allow the Steelers to edge ahead as Jai Bhagwan and co inflicted an all out to give U Mumba a good lead as the midway stage of the first half approached.
U Mumba pressed home their advantage and continued to pick up points quickly as the Steelers’ task became tougher, in what was a pacy game. However, Nitin Rawal and Manjeet’s super tackle kept the Steelers in the hunt. At the midway point, U Mumba led 17-15, but the momentum was firmly with the Steelers.
U Mumba regained the momentum and surged ahead in the early part of the second half to widen their lead further. But Amirhossein Bastami and Sushil led the fightback for the Steelers as U Mumba’s lead continued to reduce by the play. The Steelers took the lead with less than 7 minutes to go when Jaideep Dahiya helped his team inflict an all out.
The Steelers fought hard in the final phase of the game, and seemed to have proceedings going their way, but Guman Singh picked up a couple of crucial raids to help his team clinch a thriller.
Puneri Paltan beat Bengal Warriors
Puneri Paltan put up a spirited performance in the second half to register a hat-trick of wins in the vivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 after defeating Bengal Warriors 27-25 at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. Captain Fazel Atrachali led from the front with 6 tackle points, while raider Aslam Inamdar scored 5 points.
Maninder Singh effected a few raids as the Bengal Warriors took the lead at 6-5 in the 6th minute. However, Fazel Atrachali tackled Maninder soon after and levelled the scores at 6-6. The Warriors were on the verge of getting all out, but defender Girish Maruti Ernak and all-rounder Manoj Gowda came to the rescue and helped their team take the lead at 12-9 in the 14th minute. Aslam Inamdar found it difficult to breach the Warriors' defense unit as the side from Bengal led at 15-11 at the end of the first half.
Puneri Paltan played with more determination in the second half, but the Warriors managed to keep their noses in front at 17-15 in the 27th minute. However, Sombir tackled Shrikant Jadhav and Akash Shinde effected a raid soon after to level the scores at 17-17. Both sides kept trading points before the Puneri Paltan tackled Rohit to inflict an ALL OUT and take a big lead at 24-20. Fazel Atrachali also stepped up his game as Puneri Paltan continued to stay ahead at 27-22 in the 39th minute. Raider Mohit Goyat treaded carefully and eventually closed out a comprehensive victory for the side from Pune.
