Although the score looks completely one sided, Ice Divas could not pull a win against Fire Birds despite a tight performance in Women’s Pro Kabaddi Qualifier at Thyagaraj Sports Complex in Delhi on Monday.

Till the last five minutes Ice Divas were in the game, but in the last five minutes Fire Birds turned the game to their side.

Raider Mariya Mounika gave a 2-point lead to Fire Birds with scoreline reads 3-1 after three minutes. It was difficult for Ice Divas to score points without Abhilasha Mhatre on field. Soanli Shingate scored a point to level the scores at 3-3. But Mamtha Poojari scored a raid point to give 4-3 lead to Fire Birds in the sixth minute. Fire Birds’ defense played a key role in defending Ice Birds raiders as well providing points as they provided 7-5 lead to Fire Birds after 13 minutes. At the end of the first half, Ice Divas somehow managed to level the game at 8-8 with the help of Sumithra Sharma’s points.

Later, in the second half, after too much give and take, match were leveled at 9-9 after 18 minutes. Abhilasha Mhatre could not score a single point till 20th minute. Ice Divas awarded with a technical point in 20th minute to level the game again at 10-10. Sonali Shingate again scored a point and provided Ice Divas 12-10 lead. After 25 minutes, Fire Birds were trailing 12-13. With just five minutes remaining to finish the game, Fire Birds attacked with their full force and scored back to back points with a super tackle to wrap up the game at 22-13.

By Prajakt K.