A super show by Jang Kun Lee (13 points), the South Korean who has been a revelation this season enabled Bengal Warriors strengthen their claims for a semi-final berth with a 37-31 win over Dabang Delhi K. C. in the last match of the Delhi phase of the Season 3 of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. Jang had good support from fellow raider Nitin Tomar (13) in a match that was dominated by raiders.

Selvamani K and Anil Nimbolkar of Dabang Delhi K. C. made the rival defenders dance to their tune with 10 and 13 points respectively. But there was absolutely no support from the others which led to their team’s defeat. The next best scorer was defender Rakesh Singh Kumar with just two tackle points which tells their story.

With this win Bengal Warriors now have a tally of 42 points in 12 matches while Dabang Delhi K.C. have 11 with a match to play against U Mumba four days from here. Bengal Warriors now third on the table, need a win to make it to the semis. If not, a draw or even two defeats will suffice for them to edge Telugu Titans who can reach 43 if they win their remaining two matches in Mumbai.

The initial phase of the first half was well contested with Jang Kun Lee making his intentions clear. So did Anil Nimbolkar for Delhi in the absence of top raiders Kashiling Aadke and Surjeet Singh. Selvamani K too came up with a good show as the scores were 7-7 halfway through the half. The winners finally managed to open up a 16-13 lead going into the break as Anil Nimbolkar got caught for the first time and Nitin Tomar started picking up points.

An all-out inflicted by the winners in the 22nd minute gradually widened the gap (21-13) between the two. Nitin Tomar back after his injury started picking bonus points at will as the rival defence was too scared to tackle him. Jang who was successfully tackled only in the last minute too was a constant threat. With the defence failing them, especially the experienced captain Ravinder Pahal and the other corner man young Sandeep Dhull too committing errors the match slipped away from Dabang Delhi K.C’s grasp.

Only Anil Nimbolkar with a super raid with Selvamani K who was superb in the do-or-die raids never threw in the towel. In fact Selvanmani K got Bajirao Hodage, the Bengal Warrior mauler out with deft and delicate touches. An art displayed by very few in a physical power game of Kabaddi. But that wasn’t enough for Dabang Delhi K. C. to gift a win to their fans on home soil.