Manpreet Singh: Very proud of what my team has achieved today

Gujarat Fortunegiants defeated Puneri Paltan by 10 points at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna on Tuesday. Representing Gujarat Fortunegiants at the post-match press-conference were coach Manpreet Singh, Sachin, Ruturaj Koravi and Mahendra Ganesh Rajput. Coach Ashan Kumar and stand-in captain Sandeep Narwal took questions for Puneri Paltan.

Gujarat Fortunegiants

Q: It was a defensive game today with both sides concentrating on tackles. Any comments on the game?

Manpreet Singh: Puneri Paltan are a very balanced team. Their bench-strength is very strong as well. As a team, we have done a lot of homework on them. We took our time and made the right strategies. I feel very proud of what my team has achieved today, especially the raiders. In our previous match against them, we won but gave away a lot of points. We were successful in not giving away unnecessary points today and we played according to our plans.

Q: Despite the likes of Nitin Tomar in the opposition ranks, you were the only one to manage a Super 10. How do you feel after the game today?

Sachin: I feel very proud that I could contribute to the team’s victory. Getting a Super 10 is never easy and getting it against a defensively-strong side feels even more special. I hope to continue this form in our future matches and hope we do well.

Q: Do you think your tackles made the difference in the game today?

Ruturaj Koravi: This is my debut season in VIVO Pro Kabaddi and this has been my best performance so far for the team. I’m very happy I could contribute to the win today. Going up against Nitin Tomar and winning the point is very difficult but I managed to do it today and that makes me very happy. As long as my performances contribute to the team’s victory, I will be happy.

Puneri Paltan

Q: How do you view today’s match?

Ashan Kumar: We lost our momentum towards the end which is why we lost the game. I am a little disappointed with the team’s performance today. This was a game we should have won. Our defence was a little off today.

Q: Nitin Tomar had to be taken out and then you conceded a Super Raid. Do you think this was the turning point of the match?

Ashan Kumar: Not really. Had we made a clean tackle, we would have had the point instead of them getting 3 points and that could have made a difference. Nitin Tomar having to be taken out is part and parcel of the game, so I cannot blame anyone there. Had he been on the mat, he could have made a difference.

Q: It was a defensive game today. Where do you think the match turned?

Sandeep Narwal: It turned in the Super Raid we conceded. Had we picked up that point, the result of the match would have been different, and we could have scored 5 points instead of scoring none.