Hosts seal final berth and WC place

Bangladesh stormed into the final of Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi with a 45-26 points win against Thailand in the first semifinal at the Shahid Noor Hossain Volleyball Stadium yesterday.

Bangladesh will play the final today against Chinese Taipei, who beat Iraq 52-44 in the second semifinal of the day.

The hosts, ranked fifth in the world, also sealed qualification for the next World Cup due to reaching the final of this international tournament for the third time in a row. Bangladesh had won both the previous finals.

The men in red and green made a cautious start against ninth-ranked Thailand. Captain Tuhin Tarafder ousted three Thai players in the 16th minute with a magnificent raid and it proved to be the turning point of the match as Thailand were well in the match till then after taking an early lead. The first half ended 17-11 in Bangladesh's favour.

After the change of ends, Bangladesh concentrated upon keeping the lead taking more points with raids rather than catching the Thai attackers. Thailand raider Chayaphon Kamunee troubled Bangladesh defence line and scored eight points but they were unable to break the superiority of the defending champions.

Tuhin scored 11 points while Mizanur Rahman, the rising star, also won same number of points. Tuhin, who was adjudged the man of the match, said he was confident of lifting the trophy for a third time.

"Chinese Taipei played well, they played powerful kabaddi in this tournament. But they lack experience, which we have in abundance. So I hope we can win the final comfortably," Tuhin said.