Defending champions Bangladesh swept into the final of the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi 2024 outplaying Thailand 41-18 at Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur Sunday.
This is the fourth successive time the home side made it to the final, winning the title in each previous edition.
Bangladesh overcame Thailand in last year’s semi-finals too.
The visitors found it difficult against Bangladesh’s offence and defence once again.
Arduzzaman Munshi, the Bangladesh skipper, made his presence felt from the very first raid, sending three Thailand players to the sideline and thus raising the confidence level of his troops.
Bangladesh defense led by Roman Hossain also propelled the team with efficient catches as Thailand raiders felt the heat.
Bangladesh recorded the first Lona in the sixth minute taking the scoreline to 12-2.
Thailand however, counter attacked in the next few minutes with ace Bangladesh raider Mizanur Rahman and Rasel Hasan both taking their seat in the chair beside the sideline.
Both the teams decided to go slow at the middle of the first half.
Bangladesh concentrated on defending rather than attacking at the finishing stage of the first half and the second Lona was earned in the 19th minute.
Bangladesh led the first half 23-8.
Bangladesh earned their third Lona in the beginning of the second half as Thailand continued to fade with time.
With the dominance stamped, Bangladesh decided to conserve their energy and go slow.
Player of the match Munshi led from the front scoring 11 points while Mizanur provided eight points for his team.
In the final Monday, they will face Nepal, the winner of Sunday’s second semi-final against Kenya.
Nepal reach final for first time
Nepal made it to the final for the first ever time after edging past Kenya in the closely-fought second semi Sunday.
For the first time in the meet, the scoreline was 50-50 after full time.
In the tiebreaker that allows five raids per team, Nepal scored nine against Kenya’s five to secure maiden final appearance.
Team captain and star raider Ghanshyam Roka Maga single-handedly steered Nepal to the famous victory with a fine performance in the tournament.
Ahead of the final against Bangladesh, Ghanshyam said: "This is the first time we have reached the final of this tournament. Now our goal is to win the championship.”
Nepal's coach Bishnu Dutt Bhat said: "Bangladesh are a good team. We lost against them in the group stage. But we will try to play well in the final and hope to win.”
