PKL 10: Ashu Malik admits mistake in raiding against Puneri Paltan; provides update on Manjeet's injury

Puneri Paltan have qualified for the playoffs with a tie.

Puneri Paltan became the second team to qualify for the playoffs of PKL 10, after a thrilling 30-30 tie with Dabang Delhi at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium today. In a neck-to-neck game, Aslam Inamdar (10 points) and Mohammadreza Chiyaneh (4 points) took their team over the line, helping them to the playoffs. Delhi needs one more win to qualify for the playoffs this season. 

After an initial feeling-out period, Puneri Paltan streaked into a small lead early in the game, their credentials as one of the best teams this season showed clearly. And yet Dabang Delhi were not overawed, slowly clawing back into contention courtesy of their defense, before the raiding department took charge.

There was a lot of chaos in the last one and a half minutes- Rambir Singh Khokhar

Rambir Singh Khokhar, the coach of Dabang Delhi, said, “We had built a good lead of eight points in the first half. Perhaps we made some mistakes with every defender. Speaking of the last one and a half minutes, there was a lot of chaos in the match. Our raiders were tackled, while they earned points by fast raiding.”

I accept my mistake of not opting for a safe raid- Ashu Malik

Ashu Malik, the captain of Dabang Delhi, said, “I accept my mistake that I should have made a safe raid in the last minute, but due to not being able to concentrate, I got tackled.”

Watch the full Press Conference video here:

Update on Manjeet’s injury

Rambir Singh Khokhar said, “We cannot say anything about Manjeet’s injury right now. He is under the observation of doctors and we will only be able to say something after the examination. I can say that there is no lack of enthusiasm within our team, and especially in Manjeet, there is no lack of enthusiasm.”

Ashu Malik’s tackle was crucial for us- Aslam Inamdar

Aslam Inamdar, the captain of Puneri Paltan, said, “Our plan was based on Ashu Malik, but in the last few seconds, we rushed. When Mohammadreza Shadloui and Mohit tackled Ashu in the final moments, that moment was crucial for us. Losing the match could have been pointless for us, but tying it was a plus point for us.”

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