Report: Patna Pirates set their date with Bengal Warriors in the second qualifier after defeating Puneri Paltan 42-32 in the third eliminator of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) at the NSCI Stadium on Tuesday. The twist was stored for the dying stages of the match when defending champions Patna made a stunning comeback, scoring 18 points in the last six minutes to turn the tide in their favour. Patna skipper Pardeep Narwal was sensational yet again as he scored 19 points to lead his team to victory. Pune crumbled under pressure and lost their nerve as their campaign came to a disappointing end. Deepak Niwas Hooda scored nine points but couldn’t deliver when it mattered the most for his team. Pardeep made two successful two-point raids as Patna led 5-3 after seven minutes. He scored two more raid points as Patna inflicted an all out in the 11th minute to lead 10-6. Deepak scored with a successful raid in the 11th minute as Pune trailed 7-10 before his two-point raid in the 13th minute revived Pune’s chances. Rajesh Mondal scored his first raid point in the 15th minute as Pune levelled the scores at 12-12. Pune ended the first half strongly by inflicting an all out in the 19th minute to lead 18-12 before adding two more points to go to the breather leading 20-13. Coming back, Pune sent Pardeep Narwal to the bench in the 22nd minute to lead 21-13. Vijay scored with a crucial do-or-die raid in the 24th minute as Patna trailed 15-21. But Suresh Kumar’s two-point raid in the 25th minute consolidated Pune’s lead to 23-16 and within a few minutes it seemed like the game was slipping from Patna’s hands as Pune’s defence kept the dangerous Narwal and Monu Goyat out. Pune led 28-18 in the 32nd minute and were on the verge of inflicting another all out but Patna forced a super tackle and then scored with a two-point raid in a minute to trail 22-28 in the 34th minute. It proved to be a turning point for the match when Pardeep’s super raid in the 35th minute yielded four points for Patna, who found themselves at 28-29. Patna immediately inflicted an all out in the next minute to grab the lead at 31-30 before sending back Deepak to the bench in the 37th minute to lead 33-31. Both teams were awarded a technical point in the 38th minute as Patna led 34-32.Pardeep then scored with a do-or- die-raid as Patna led 35-32 in the 39th minute before inflicting an all out in the final minute to seal the deal in their favour. Patna will now take on Bengal in the second qualifier in Chennai on Thursday, the winner of which will meet Gujarat Fortunegiants in the final on Saturday.
Highlights Pro Kabaddi League 2017, Bengal Warriors vs Patna Pirates: Pardeep Narwal leads Pirates into final
Catch all the live score and updates from the Pro Kabaddi League 2017 second qualifier match between Bengal Warriors and Patna Pirates.
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Watch the post-match press conference as players from Patna Pirates and Bengal Warriors speak to the media.
A brilliant performance from Pardeep Narwal and Maninder Singh but it is the Pirate who has come out on top tonight.
A thrilling match comes to an end and it is the defending champions Patna Pirates who emerge triumphantly. Pardeep Narwal’s side had faced the Warriors thrice early this season but failed to notch a single victory. However, they have beaten the Warriors when it mattered the most.
The Final Whistle blows and it is the defending champions Patna Pirates who shrug off a late fightback from the Warriors to book a place in the final against Gujarat Fortunegiants on 28 October.
Patna Pirates win 47-44!
The Warriors need to act and act fast as the match is slowly slipping away. They cannot be content with just bonus points and their comeback heavily hinges on how the Warriors’ defence curb Pardeep NArwal’s rampage.
Under 5 minutes to go and Patna Pirates lead 40-27!
Sitting in the media box right next to the rest of the Warriors team would be an interesting experience. Direct reactions from the reserve players in the squad and full-throated cheers from the support staff. A tight contest on the cards.
Being from the same zone, both the teams have faced thrice already and the Pirates have failed to breach the Warrrior defence losing one match and settling for a tie in the other two.
Starting Line-up for
Bengal Warriors : Ran Singh, Youngchang Ko, Shrikant Tewthia, Maninder Singh, Deepak Narwal, Surjeet Singh and Vinod Kumar
Patna Pirates: Pardeep Narwal, Vishal Mane, Sachin Shingade, Vijay, Monu Goyat, Jaideep, Jawahar Dagar
http://www.firstpost.comWatch our correspondent Avinash Ramachandran preview the match between Bengal Warriors and Patna Pirates.