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Puneri Paltan triumphantly clinched their place in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 finals with a commanding 37-21 win over the three-time champions Patna Pirates at Hyderabad's GMC Balayogi Stadium on Wednesday. Leading the charge with a standout performance was Puneri Paltan's captain, Aslam Inamdar, who amassed 7 raid points, propelling his team towards their quest for their first-ever PKL title in the final on March 1, against the victor of the second semi-final.
The initial stages of Semi-Final 1 saw a neck-and-neck contest between Puneri Paltan and Patna Pirates, with both teams trading points and ramping up the excitement for the spectators. While Sachin emerged as a key raider for the Pirates, Puneri Paltan's balanced team effort slightly tipped the scales in their favor as the match progressed.
A pivotal moment came in the 6th minute when Mohit Goyat's successful Do-or-Die raid initiated a scoring spree for Puneri Paltan, culminating in an All-out on the Patna Pirates by the end of the first half. With Mohammadreza Chiyaneh anchoring the defense and Aslam Inamdar leading the raids, Puneri Paltan established a 20-11 lead at halftime.
Maintaining their momentum in the second half, Puneri Paltan executed another All-out on the Pirates. Despite efforts from Sachin and Sudhakar M to score for Patna, Puneri Paltan remained dominant. Inamdar and Pankaj Mohite showcased effective raiding collaboration, while Chiyaneh received ample support from defenders Abinesh Nadarajan and Gaurav Khatri.
Despite a valiant effort from Patna Pirates, including a late surge by Manjeet, Puneri Paltan adeptly countered every challenge, securing a well-earned victory and advancing to their second consecutive PKL final. The semi-final showcased Puneri Paltan's cohesive team play and strategic prowess, setting the stage for an exciting championship match.
Haryana Steelers storm into final
The Haryana Steelers showcased strategic brilliance to overcome the Jaipur Pink Panthers with a 31-27 victory, securing their spot in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 10 finals at the GMC Balayogi Sports Complex. This landmark win, propelled by the exceptional raiding partnership of Vinay and Shivam Patare, marked the Steelers' first-ever final appearance, setting up a title clash with Puneri Paltan on March 1.
The match was characterized by its cautious approach, with both teams avoiding unnecessary risks, leading to a closely contested and low-scoring game. The raid exchanges between Arjun Deshwal of the Pink Panthers and the Steelers' Vinay were constant highlights, with both teams' defenses putting up strong performances. However, the Steelers' raid strategy, which offered more variety, ultimately made the difference.
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The Pink Panthers' reliance on Arjun Deshwal, who contributed 80% of their raid points in the game's first half, became their Achilles' heel as the Steelers focused their efforts on neutralizing him. This strategy paid dividends when the Steelers executed the first All-out of the match, taking a 13-7 lead. Vinay and Shivam Patare's relentless raiding kept the pressure on the Pink Panthers, allowing the Steelers to enter halftime with a six-point advantage.
Despite a spirited second-half performance from the Pink Panthers, driven by Deshwal's raiding prowess, their defense struggled to contain the Steelers' raiders. The Pink Panthers' defense only managed to secure three tackle points in the first half-hour of play. As the Steelers extended their lead, the Pink Panthers' attempts to rally were hampered by key player absences on the mat.
A crucial Do-or-Die raid by Vinay, resulting in the removal of Bhavani Rajput and Sunil Kumar, edged the Steelers closer to another All-out. Although a Super Tackle by Reza Mirbagheri briefly narrowed the gap, the Steelers maintained composure in the final moments. A decisive tackle on Deshwal by Ashish in the last minute clinched the victory, igniting celebrations among the Steelers' camp as they made history by reaching the PKL finals for the first time.
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