UP Yoddha are now in contention to make it through to the playoffs of ProKabaddi 2018 and in the final match of the group stage, we will face hosts Bengal Warriors at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium, Kolkata on Thursday. While the local team has already qualified for the playoffs, our contest with Patna Pirates makes this match a must-win for us.
A Quick Look
UP Yoddha are carrying a brilliant momentum currently, with a streak of four victories in their last five matches. Though the Warriors will be extremely confident being qualified for the next stage, the stress of playing matches every day in the home leg is what can work for our favour. Both teams will be eager to overpower the other, since both our previous encounters in this season ended in ties and this will be the ultimate test of powers.
Their Defenders
Bengal Warriors’ defense is not their strongest factor and this is where our raiders get an advantage. Though Surjeet Singh, Ziaur Rahman, Shrikant Tewthia have regularly featured in the starting seven, their inconsistency makes scoring points easier for us. Prashanth has hit a good patch at the moment, and fellow left-raider Shrikant assists him well with successful raids. However, the biggest plus for us will be our captain Rishank bouncing back in form, having earned seven points against U Mumba in our last.
Their Raiders
The most consistent Yoddha contingent, the defense, will have a lot of work to do as they will face Maninder Singh. One of the most consistent raiders of the season, Maninder holds the key to most of Warriors’ points in any match and to tame him will mean to restrict them from scoring at all. Another name to be careful of will be that of seasoned campaigner Jang Kun Lee. However, we have full faith on Nitesh, Narender, Jeeva and Sachin to have yet another brilliant outing.
Story So Far
At the second position of Zone B points table currently, the Warriors have made it to the playoffs already. We are at No. 4 position of the table.
Head to Head
UP Yoddha 0-2 Bengal Warriors (3 Tied)