Bangladesh has stormed into the finals of the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi tournament with a smashing victory against Thailand in the first semifinal. The match, which took place at the Shahid Noor Hossain Volleyball Stadium, saw the hosts dominate with a final score of 45-26 points.
Ranked fifth in the world, Bangladesh made a cautious start against their ninth-ranked opponents. It wasn’t until the 16th minute when Bangladesh’s captain, Tuhin Tarafder, ousted three Thai players with a magnificent raid that the match turned in Bangladesh’s favor. The first half ended with a score of 17-11 in Bangladesh’s favor.
In the second half, Bangladesh focused on keeping the lead by taking more points with raids rather than catching the Thai attackers. Thailand’s raider, Chayaphon Kamunee, proved to be a challenge for Bangladesh’s defense line, scoring eight points. However, the defending champions remained superior throughout the game, and their efforts ultimately paid off.
Tuhin Tarafder scored 11 points, while Mizanur Rahman, the team’s rising star, also won the same number of points. Tuhin, who was awarded the man of the match title, expressed his confidence in winning the trophy for a third time.
The victory against Thailand secured Bangladesh’s place in the next World Cup, as they reached the finals of this international tournament for the third time in a row. Bangladesh had won both the previous finals, and they are eager to make it a hat-trick this year.
Bangladesh will play the final against Chinese Taipei, who beat Iraq 52-44 in the second semifinal. Tuhin praised Chinese Taipei’s powerful kabaddi skills but believes that his team’s experience will give them an edge over their opponents.
The stage is set for an exciting finale, and fans are eagerly waiting to see who will emerge victorious. Bangladesh will be looking to add another title to their impressive collection, while Chinese Taipei will be hoping to upset the hosts and lift the trophy for the first time. Regardless of who wins, one thing is certain – the final will be a thrilling display of kabaddi at its best.
