Giants down but not yet out
Gujarat Fortune Giants face an uphill the battle to make it to the playoffs of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 7, but Coach Manpreet Singh’s boys haven’t given up and are determined to fight till the last moment.
The Giants, currently ranked 10th in the points table will take on bottom-placed Tamil Thalaivas on Saturday, and in-form Vikas Kandola’s Haryana Steelers on Sunday, in do or die battles for a spot in the play-offs stage.
After reaching the finals in both its seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, the Giants have somehow struggled in the ongoing season. The Sunil Kumar-led team needs to win all the remaining four matches and hope for favourable results in ties involving the other teams to make it to the top-six and the play-offs.
Coach Manpreet Singh admitted the road is tough ahead. “I know it is going to be tough, but it’s not impossible. We have many talented players, but unfortunately, the squad has failed to live up to the expectations. The boys have played well in the matches, but somehow we have lost the plot in the crucial last few minutes of the game. This has been a big concern.”
Having said that, other teams may have misfortunes or upsets which can help our cause, remarked the Coach.
The coach has rarely shared the plan and names of the starting-7. He, however, is keen on giving an opportunity to those who have shown positive intent. He also hinted that the team would be experimenting in the last four matches, including in the defence unit. It will not be surprising if players who haven’t had enough chances are included in the starting-7.
Moreover, Singh is also hoping that their rivals take them lightly. “This will allow us to take advantage of their overconfidence,” he stated.
Talking of the opponents, Thalaivas and Steelers, the coach Manpreet Singh said both are well-balanced teams. Thalaivas are struggling but Steelers are doing well. “Tamil Thalaivas have well experienced campaigners like Rahul Chaudhari and Manjeet Chhillar yet they are struggling. We are not taking the game easy. At the same time, Giants are confident of the better show and a win tomorrow and on Sunday as well,” he added as he signed of.