Bangladesh continued their supremacy in the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi as they retained the title beating Kenya by 34-31 in the exciting final at Shaheed Noor Hossain Volleyball Stadium Thursday.
Both the sides faced off in the inaugural edition of the tournament as well in 2021, when the hosts beat their African opponents by 34-28.
The house-full crowd thoroughly enjoyed the excellent show from the beginning as Bangladesh prevailed against their physically strong and technically equipped opponents.
Kenyans used the advantage of their height, especially long legs, while raiding but Bangladesh skipper Tuhin Tarafder, raider Arduzzaman Munshi, Razib Ahmed and Robiul showed their skill and class to overcome the challenge.
Kenya got off to a good start taking a 5-3 lead in first five minutes thanks to aggression of Haggai Odhiambo Ogak, but Bangladesh’s top raider Munshi was a constant threat in the Kenyan defence.
However, both the teams were cautious over not losing their men as at the end of the 15th the scoreline was 8-7.
Bangladesh started to fight back and at the 17th minute Bangladesh had all the seven players in the court against Kenya’s two.
Tarafder’s raid made the scoreline 12-12 with only one Kenyan player alive in the court.
Bangladesh completed the first Lona in the 19th minute running to take a three-point lead at 15-12.
The hosts ended the first half with 17-14.
Kenya dominated the initial minutes running to a 18-17 lead inserting immense pressure on the hosts.
But two superb catches led by Tarafder saw Bangladesh lead 22-19 after five minutes in the second half.
Player of the match, raider Razib made crucial impact in the decisive juncture of the game.
Razib’s beautiful somersault saw Kenya lose two players making Kenya a two-man team.
Bangladesh won the second Lona in the 26th minute to aneight-point lead with the score line 29-21.
It looked the hosts were cruising but the African side did not lose their focus and started picking points against the panicky hosts.
In the last minute, the scoreline became Bangladesh 32 Kenya 31.
In the last raid Kenyan Victor Odiambo returned to his half after touching a Bangladeshi player but the referee gave verdict the time was up and as a result Bangladesh got two points to win by 34-31.
Bangladesh coach Chhaju Ram Goyat was happy with the performance.
“I said the boys to focus on defence. They played according to plans and today showed the best match in the tournament. Now our target is Asian Games.
Kenyan coach Laventer Auguta expressed discontent over referring but said the Kenyan players probably felt overconfident.