Noida, Jan 5 (NationPress) Sangam Challengers showcased a calm and determined performance, defeating Kanpur Warriors 37–32 in the first match of Day 12 of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2. This victory marked their third straight win, propelling them from seventh to second place on the league standings.

This pivotal match, held during a week that could define the league's outcome, was attended by television stars Anup Upadhyay and Vishwajeet Soni, who enjoyed the exciting action at the Noida Indoor Stadium.

Kanpur Warriors kicked off the match with aggressive tactics, applying significant pressure that nearly pushed Sangam into an all-out situation. Just when it seemed Kanpur would gain control, Sangam countered with a vital super tackle, stopping Kanpur’s advance. Building on this defensive success, Sangam struck back by achieving an all-out on Kanpur, firmly taking control of the match.

Following this critical phase, Sangam maintained their dominance, continuing to pressure Kanpur with disciplined defense and strategic raiding, expanding their lead before halftime. This momentum carried into the second half, where Sangam quickly forced another all-out on Kanpur, establishing a comfortable lead on the scoreboard.

Despite showing resilience, Kanpur Warriors attempted to stage a comeback by tightening their defense and executing two consecutive super tackles to cut the deficit to ten points. Nevertheless, Sangam adeptly slowed the game's pace, managing their raids efficiently and ensuring Kanpur could not build any sustained momentum.

A pivotal factor in Sangam’s control was the defensive prowess of Captain Mayank Malik, who excelled with eight tackle points, consistently thwarting Kanpur’s raids at critical junctures and preventing a late-game turnaround.

Sangam Challengers ultimately secured a 37–32 victory, continuing their upward trajectory as the league nears its critical phase.

This outcome significantly reshaped the league standings, with Lucknow Lions still leading with 12 points, while Sangam Challengers advanced to second with 10 points following their third consecutive victory. Gazab Ghaziabad sits third, also on 10 points, alongside Brij Stars, intensifying the competition for top positions. With only three to four matches left for each team, every game this week holds substantial significance.

On the previous day of UPKL Season 2, Sangam Challengers exhibited dominance both on and off the court, decisively defeating Kashi Kings, forcing multiple all-outs and achieving a convincing win.

Brij Stars followed with an impressive defensive display, overwhelming Awadh Ramdoots 36–13 by neutralizing their key raiders and executing three all-outs. The day concluded with Gazab Ghaziabad achieving a strong comeback victory against JD Noida Ninjas, driven by players Uday Dabas and Aman Rana, propelling Gazab to second place. With five teams tied at 10 points, the title race has grown increasingly fierce.