Gujarat Fortunegiants, displaying a solid defence and confidence all around, got past UP Yoddha 38-31 in Qualifier-2 of the ProKabaddi League on Thursday. The Gujarat side clinched a spot in the final for the second consecutive time. Bengaluru Bulls stands in the way in the final face-off on Saturday.
Raiding spearhead Sachin Tanwar proved his worth with a controlled show in the rival half, going into the opponent’s zone 18 times, returning successfully seven times. He finished with nine raid points and one tackle point for the only 10-pointer of the night. Tilting the scales in the side’s favour were defenders Hadi Ostorak, Sunil Kumar, and Sachin Vittala (three each).
Fortunegiants skipper Oshtorak from Iran was the only foreigner on the mat for the second qualifier as both sides banked on battle-hardened Indian players. Raiders from both teams were cautious amidst catching of a high level, especially newcomer Nitesh Kumar of Yoddha (six tackle points, including a super tackle).
Yoddha suffered a major blow close to half-time as the Fortunegiants defenders held their ground to inflict the first all-out of the contest to burst ahead 19-14.
Prashanth (three points from six raids), Shrikant (three points, nine raids) found it tough to assert themselves even as captain Rishank tried to remain on the mat as much as possible.
The result: Fortunegiants 38 (Sachin Tanwar 10, K. Prapanjan 5) bt Yoddhas 31 (Shrikant Jadhav 7, Nitesh Kumar 6, Prashanth Kumar Rai 5).