After a successful league campaign where they finished fourth, the Bengal Warriors lost the semifinals to defending champions from Season 2 U Mumba in a hard fought game. The game ended 41-29 in favour of the side from Mumbai as the Warriors fought tooth and nail till the very last raid and did not let their opponents rest easy even once.
Star raider Jang Kun Lee, who has been in fine form throughout the season, was contained well by the U Mumba defense and did not let him garner even a single raiding point. Captain Nilesh Shinde has been a rock at the right corner for his side for the entire duration of the league and played a pivotal role in taking his side to the playoffs.
Speaking to the press after his team’s ouster from the semifinals, Shinde explained how the defense did not play to their potential and were consequently unable to prevent Rishank Devadiga and co from wreaking havoc. The Warriors picked up just nine tackle points over the course of the match and on the other hand, the Mumbai team scored 14 points from tackles as Mohit Chhillar and Fazel Atrachali stepped up to the plate.
Proud of my team: Nilesh Shinde
The 35-year old was full of praise for his side’s performances over the course of the season and said that a semifinal spot was the primary target for the team when the league began. “We would have loved to contest the final, but it is what it is and I am proud that my team gave their best and took us to the top 4,” said Shinde.
He also spoke on how his team had managed to remain injury free this campaign and the difference it made to their league standing. He said, “Last season, we had 7-8 players injured and as a result, we could not perform as well as we had wanted to. But this time around, I am delighted that we played our best side in every game and that no player was injured.”
On a closing note, the veteran stated that his team was keeping an eye on Season 4 already and are gearing for it. In the meanwhile, his side will look to make it to the podium as they face off against the Puneri Paltan in the third-place playoff.
