PKL Season 11: Thrilling Maharashtra Derby as Puneri Paltan Battles U Mumba to Kick Off Final Phase
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Pune, Dec 2 (NationPress) PKL Season 11 has proven to be one of the most exhilarating and fiercely competitive seasons in the tournament's history. As the event celebrates its second decade, it now arrives in Pune, the stronghold of the Puneri Paltan, who are the reigning champions.
The concluding leg of the league stage for PKL Season 11 will kick off on December 3 and wrap up on December 24. Following that, the playoffs for PKL Season 11 will also take place in Pune, with the Eliminators and Semi-Finals scheduled for December 26 and December 27 respectively, culminating in the grand finale on December 29.
The Puneri Paltan, despite facing some challenges this season, will rely on the support of their home crowd when they face their long-time rivals U Mumba in what is anticipated to be a highly competitive Maharashtra derby. Currently, the Puneri Paltan sits fifth in the points standings while U Mumba is in seventh place. In their earlier encounter this season, the Puneri Paltan secured a victory against U Mumba in Hyderabad.
Over the years, the Puneri Paltan have delivered numerous unforgettable matches to their supporters. In Pune, they have played 42 matches, achieving 19 victories, 18 losses, and 5 draws since claiming their first title in Season 10 of the PKL.
On the other hand, U Mumba, the champions of Season 2, boast a solid record when visiting Pune. Overall, they have played 20 matches, winning 12 and losing 8. When facing Puneri Paltan at Balewadi Stadium, U Mumba holds a record of three wins and two losses.
As they approach this significant Maharashtra derby, the Puneri Paltan have played 15 matches so far, securing seven wins, five losses, and three draws. The defending champions have won just one of their last three outings but aim to gain momentum in front of their home fans. Meanwhile, U Mumba has achieved eight wins from their 14 matches, with five losses and one draw.
In their head-to-head encounters, U Mumba and Puneri Paltan have faced each other 23 times in the PKL, with each team claiming 10 victories and three draws. A win for either team would provide the bragging rights leading into the next season.
During a press conference preceding the Pune leg, Puneri Paltan coach BC Ramesh stated, “PKL Season 11 has been one of the most challenging seasons we have encountered. Now, in Pune, Puneri Paltan is eager to devise effective strategies against all opponents and, more importantly, execute them flawlessly. It is a wonderful opportunity to compete in front of our home crowd.”
U Mumba coach Gholamareza Mazandarani also acknowledged the heightened excitement surrounding this inter-Maharashtra clash among both fans and players. “The Puneri Paltan present formidable challenges when playing at home, which certainly boosts their motivation, but U Mumba will come prepared, just as we do for every match. Executing our strategies and maintaining discipline will be crucial,” remarked Gholamreza Mazandarani, Coach of U Mumba.
“PKL Season 11 has raised the bar of competitive intensity in Kabaddi to unprecedented levels. A single victory can dramatically shift teams' positions in the standings, with only six points separating second and seventh place. This season's unpredictability makes it clear that no team can assume success. As we enter the final phase of the league stage, Pune is primed for an exhilarating battle, where each match could determine the teams' fates,” stated Anupam Goswami, League Commissioner of the Pro Kabaddi League.
The opening day of the third leg of PKL Season 11 will showcase the highly anticipated clash between Puneri Paltan and U Mumba at 9 pm, while the day's first match will feature the Bengaluru Bulls against the Gujarat Giants.
