Bangladesh earned their third consecutive victory to brighten their semifinal berth in the 12-nation Bangbandhu Cup Kabaddi Tournament 2024, outplaying Indonesia by 59-19 points at the Shaheed Suhrwardy Indoor Stadium in Dhaka's Mirpur on Wednesday.
After beating South Korea and Malaysia in the first two matches, Arduzzaman Munshi and Co continued their winning spree, edging past Indonesia and taking a solo lead in Group A with an all-win run.
Bangabandhu Cup Kabaddi: Bangladesh to play Indonesia in their 3rd match on Wednesday
Bangladesh led the first half by 35-2 points.
Mizanur Rahman tormented the Indonesian defence with the same level of prowess he has been producing since the beginning of the tourney and scored 18 points, while Yasin scored the second highest 10 points for the red and green Bangladesh team.
Bangabandhu Int'l Kabaddi: Nepal pile up biggest victory outplaying Poland
Bangladesh have two more group matches, one against Poland at 10:00 am on Thursday (May 30) and the last one against Nepal at 6:00 pm on Friday (May 31), and one win will assure their semifinal berth.
After the winning match on Wednesday, Bangladesh coach Abdul Jalil said, "Although we won three matches, we have yet to confirm the semifinal. We are hopeful to play in the last four stages as the group champions, and we do hope our boys will continue their present performances throughout the tournament."
Bangabandhu Int'l Kabaddi: Nepal pile up biggest victory outplaying Poland
The young Bangladeshi raider, Mizanur Rahman, emerged as the man of the match after collecting eighteen points in the match.
He said, "All of our teammates gave their best to win the match. It was the result of our team's performance, and we are ready to give our best to win the title.".
In the day's other match, Kenya earned their third consecutive win beating Iraq by 50-47 points in a keenly contested match the the Shaheed Suhrwardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur on Wednesday.
It was the first defeat for Iraq, who led the first half 26-22.
James Namara Kamweti, the tall and stocky raider, carried the Kenyan flag into Iraqi territory, scoring 28 points and being adjudged Man of the Match, while Hasan Faez Balbool of Iraq was the highest scorer of the match, scoring 30 points.
In the day's other match, Poland tasted their first victory in their third match, beating Malaysia by 43-25 points with three lonas after leading the first half by 21-13 points at the same venue.