Hosts storm into semifinals

Defending champions Bangladesh stormed into the semifinals of Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi tournament with an emphatic 55-27 points victory over England in their fourth match at the Shaheed Noor Hossain National Volleyball Stadium yesterday.

Four straight wins put Bangladesh on top of Group A and they will face Iraq tomorrow in group-deciding match.

Like the previous matches against Poland, Argentina and Nepal, the men in red and green were unstoppable despite two crucial players -- Roman Hossain and Rasel Hasan -- sustaining head injuries following a collision between them while defending an opponent player in their own half.

Captain Tuhin Tarafder began the campaign with a point from raid but soon the hosts suffered a blow as Roman and Rasel were ruled out with cuts in their foreheads. However, the hosts secured points by earning two lonas in the first half, putting them in the driving seat with a 29-10 points lead.

Raiders Al Amin and Mizanur Rahman carried the momentum in the second half with their successful raids which helped Bangladesh pile on the points.  Mizanur collected 14 points in this match to raise his individual points-tally to 54 in four matches.

"I dedicate the victory to the Father of the Nation and we have attained our first goal of reaching the semifinals. Now we are more confident to turn our next goal into reality; we will now focus on reaching the final" said Bangladesh captain Tuhin.