The Puneri Paltan showed determination right from the word go and eventually defeated U Mumba 30-28 to register their first victory of the Pro Kabaddi League season 9 at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, here on Sunday.
Raiders Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat scored 14 points together, while Captain Fazel Atrachali notched 4 points to help Puneri Paltan win.
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 their side stay in the game at 7-7. Guman continued to showcase top form as the Mumbai side led at 9-7 in the 11th minute.
The Puneri defenders then fought back and regained the lead at 10-9. Thereafter, both sides traded points until Puneri managed to keep their noses in front at 14-13 at the end of the first half.
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Inamdar pulled off a fantastic raid in the opening minutes of the second half as Puneri widened their lead at 16-13. Moments later, Goyat effected a raid which reduced the U Mumba side to two players on the mat.
The Mumbai side were on the verge of getting ALL OUT, but Heidarali Ekrami carried out a brilliant raid to level the scores 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.
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Defenders Sanket Sawant and Sombir also stepped up their game as Puneri took a massive lead at 27-20. Jai Bhagwan and Guman Singh fought hard for U Mumba in the last few minutes, but Puneri managed to hold on to their lead and eventually walked off the mat as winners.
