PKL 12: Sunil Kumar gives big statement on Haryana Steelers fans

U Mumba sit at the fifth spot in the PKL 12 table.

U Mumba confirmed their place in the Top 8 of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) after defeating Haryana Steelers on Sunday at the Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi. The match went down to a tiebreaker, where Satish Kannan’s decisive raid sealed the victory for Mumba.

Sandeep Kumar scored 9 raid points, leading a remarkable comeback for U Mumba. However, the Haryana Steelers, who were trailing by a few points, kept their composure and managed to push the PKL 12 game into the tiebreaker. Captain Jaideep Dahiya was the standout performer for the Steelers, registering 9 tackle points, including 2 super tackles.

After the match, representatives from both teams addressed the media.

Haryana Steelers

Thoughts on Sunil Kumar’s Captaincy

Haryana Steelers head coach Manpreet Singh shared his thoughts on the captaincy of U Mumba’s skipper, Sunil Kumar.

He said “I’ve said it many times, U Mumba is lucky to have Sunil as their captain. There are very few captains who can lead a team well even with limited resources, and he’s one of them. The way he manages situations and gives guidance to his players is exceptional.

I feel unlucky that I lost two finals to him. He’s very intelligent, and Jaideep is also following the same path. Personally, I feel defenders make better captains than raiders because they stay on the mat and control the game, whereas a raider, once out, has to sit on the bench for five minutes and can’t do much during that time.”

On Jaideep recieving Yellow card in last 2 minutes

Haryana Steelers head coach Manpreet Singh defended his captain Jaideep Dahiya during the post-match press conference.

He said “Jaideep is the reason we were still in the match at that time. He, along with Sethpal and Sahil, was performing well and going for tackles. When you attempt tackles, sometimes you succeed and sometimes you get caught, that’s part of the game.In the do-or-die raids, they had two successful ones, and we had to concede an all-out. Our own do-or-die raids weren’t successful. The raiders weren’t responding properly to my instructions; they couldn’t execute what I was telling them to do.So, I feel my coaching wasn’t up to the mark in this match, I couldn’t convey my message effectively to the players. But it’s good that we fought hard and didn’t give up. Fans and owners always appreciate it when the team gives a strong fight, even if we lose, no one likes to see a one-sided defeat.”

U Mumba

On making it to the PKL 12 playoffs

U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandok attended the post-match press conference and congratulated his team on their qualification.

He said, “Our target wasn’t just to make the playoffs; we were confident that we would get there. Our aim this time is even bigger. But yes, it’s a massive relief. Wins like these are very important for the team’s morale and confidence. The way our defence played today was outstanding; they soaked up the pressure, and that’s exactly what you expect from experienced players. It was an amazing match for the fans, and we’re very happy with the performance.”

On Crowd Support for Haryana Steelers

U Mumba captain Sunil Malik spoke with a smile after the match and said “Today, when we stepped onto the mat, there were loud chants for Haryana Steelers all around. I told my team there’s only one way to silence them, and that’s by winning the match. Haryana is nearby, so naturally, more of their fans came to support them. I’m also from Haryana, and they’re a good team, and our fans are also in large numbers.What truly matters is our skills and our game. I told my team, just give your 100 per cent.”

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