Maharashtra Ironmen secured their spot in the finals of the Premier Handball League after a commanding display against the Rajasthan Patriots. The match held at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur saw the Ironmen put in a blistering performance, winning 38-28 against a strong Patriots team.
The Rajasthan Patriots came into the game as the only team to have beaten the Ironmen in the league phase. Bollywood Actor Sharad Kelkar was present at the game to show his support for the home team, and it proved to be a highly entertaining clash.
The Ironmen were looking for their first win against the Patriots in this crucial match, and they started the game in blistering form. The Maharashtra players were in great touch as they constructed attacks patiently while also shooting with devastating effects in the opening minutes of the game. Naveen Deshwal’s heroics in the initial stages of the game helped the Ironmen establish a healthy lead.
The Patriots were determined to find a way back into the game, and brought on Happy Singh in an attempt to add impetus to their attack. Amninder Singh and Arjun Lakra injected some energy into their team and provided the Patriots with a much-needed edge in attack, but they were still struggling to convert their chances.
The Ironmen, on the other hand, put on a masterclass in attack, rampaging forward and scoring efficiently. Igor Chiseliov, Sumit Ghanghas, Ankit, and Jalal Kiani were making sure the Ironmen carried on extending their lead, and by the 15th mark had established a considerable 10-7 lead.
In the second half, the Patriots came out looking to wrestle control of the game, but the Ironmen were as rampant in attack as ever, with Jalal Kinai, Sumit Ghanghas, Ankit, and Manjeet Kumar being afforded too much time and space. Halfway through the second period, the scores read 27-22 in favor of the Ironmen.
Despite the best efforts of the Patriots to get back into the game, the Ironmen continued to dominate, with Igor Chiseliov being adjudged the most valuable player of the match after scoring 10 goals in the game. The final score of 38-28 in favor of the Maharashtra Ironmen saw them become the first team to secure their spot in the finals, where they will face either the Telugu Talons or the Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh.
The win was a significant achievement for the Maharashtra Ironmen, who put in a clinical performance to secure their place in the finals. With the Premier Handball League heating up, all eyes will be on the other semi-final to see who the Ironmen will face in the final. Overall, it was a highly entertaining clash between two of the league’s strongest teams, with the Ironmen ultimately coming out on top.
