Bengaluru: Puneri Paltan showed determination right from the word go when they took on U Mumba in vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 9 at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. Raiders Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat scored 14 points together, while captain Fazel Atrachali notched up 4 points to help Puneri Paltan defeat U Mumba 30-28 and register their first victory of the season.
Aslam Inamdar chipped in with a couple of raids as Puneri Paltan took the lead at 5-4 in the 6th minute. Soon after, Mohit Goyat pulled off a multi-point raid and reduced U Mumba to three players on the mat. However, Guman Singh and Jai Bhagwan effected raids and helped U Mumba stay in the game at 7-7. Guman continued to showcase top form as U Mumba went on to lead at 9-7 in the 11th minute. However, the Puneri Paltan defenders fought back and regained the lead at 10-9. Thereafter, both sides traded points until Puneri Paltan managed to get in front at 14-13 by the end of the first half.
Inamdar pulled off a fantastic raid in the opening minutes of the second half as Puneri Paltan widened their lead to 16-13. Moments later, Goyat effected a raid which reduced U Mumba to two players on the mat. U Mumba were on the verge of getting All-Out, but Heidarali Ekrami carried out a brilliant raid to level the score at 20-20 in the 31st minute.
However, Aslam Inamdar tackled Rinku and Surinder Singh soon after to help his side inflict an All-Out. Defenders Sanket Sawant and Sombir also stepped up their game as Puneri Paltan extended their lead to 27-20. Jai Bhagwan and Guman Singh fought hard for U Mumba in the last few minutes, but Puneri Paltan managed to hold on to their lead and eventually walked off the mat as winners.
Top Performers
Puneri Paltan: Best Raider – Aslam Inamdar (8 Raid Points); Best Defender – Mohammad Nabibakhsh (4 Tackle Points)
U Mumba: Best Raider – Guman Singh (7 Raid Points); Best Defender – Mohit (3 Tackle Points)
PKL
