Until next time, it's goodbye. CIAO.
That's all we have for you today. Thank you so much for joining me. Semifinals begin tomorrow and the finale is on Sunday. Stay tuned to Sportstar for the remaining matches and everything else from the world of sports.
The Raptors march into the semifinals with a commanding win over Awadhe and what a time for the Bengaluru-based team and in fact, finish first at the end of the league stage.
SCORES READ [ BENGALURU RAPTORS - AWADHE WARRIORS]
Peng Soon Chan/Eom Hye Won beat 7 -15, 15-12, 15-11 Ko Sung Hyun/Christinna Pedersen to help Bengaluru to a 5-0 win.
Game 3 Chan/Eom win 15-11
15-11 CHAN'S SMASH IS RETURNED HIGH AND WIDE BY KO SUNG AS EOM AND CHAN COMPLETE A REMARKABLE TURNAROUND AFTER DROPPING THE FIRST GAME.
14-11 Pedersen saves on match point with a tap for a winner at the net.
13-10 Class from Pedersen as she plays the cross-court dribble to perfection.
12-7 Oh, boy! Ko Sung nets again. Regulation returns being slammed into the net.
11-7 This time, it's Eom with the error.
11-6 Ko Sung with another unforced error as his return rams into the net.
10-6 MIGHTY SMASH FROM CHAN, BEATS PEDERSEN ON HER BACKHAND.
9-6 Ko Sung pushes the service return wide.
8-6 A two-point cushion for the Raptors pair on the turn.
6-6 But Awadhe isn't giving up as Chan nets his drop.
6-5 Raptors have their noses ahead yet again.
5-5 Eom slaps the shuttle into the left corner of the Awadhe court to win the point.
3-3 Delicate and simply delightful to watch. Ko Sung pushes the Raptors pair deep to the back court with mighty smashes before Pedersen puts the point to bed with an easy put away frop.
3-2 Eom and Chan inch ahead.
2-2 Chan with a series of smashes down and eventually gets the better of the Awadhe pair as Christinna nets her return.
1-2 This time, Ko Sung drills down a half smash from the net past Eom's defence.
1-1 Eom's backhand, cross-court push drifts wide.
1-0 Ko Sung's jump drop finds the net.
The last game of the league stage of PBL 5. Here we go!
Game 2- Chan/Eom win 15-12
15-12 THE RAPTORS PAIR HAS PULLED OFF A STUNNING COMEBACK IN GAME TWO TO FORCE THE DECIDER. IT'S NOT OVER YET, FOLKS!
14-12 TWO GAME POINTS FOR THE RAPTORS AS CHAN SENDS ACROSS A MIGHTY SMASH.
13-12 Christinna nets her backhand dribble.
12-12 Service error from Eom as she hits it short.
12-11 Eom and Chan take the lead as Eom comes good with her half smash at the net.
11-11 RAPTORS ARE LEVEL.
10-11 Pedersen returns Chan's smash into the net after a long rally as Eom and Chan claw their way back into the contest.
8-11 Pedersen pushes the shuttle off her forehand into the net.
7-11 Pedersen and Ko Sung are making short work of this match. Chan's backhand return slams into the net.
4-8 FOUR-POINT CUSHION ON THE TURN AS EOM GOES LONG WITH A REGULATION RETURN.
4-6 Ko Sung with a jump drop and Eom is completely outplayed in that rally. She lunges forward desperately by the return does not have enough legs on it.
4-5 Good comeback from the Awadhe pair. After trailing 1-4, they now lead 5-4.
1-1 Service over as Eom slams her backhand return, off Ko Sung's smash, into the net.
1-0 Raptors bag the first point.
Game 1- Ko Sung/Pedersen win 15-7
7-15 FINALLY, PEDERSEN AND KO SUNG CLOSE OUT THE GAME AS CHAN GOES WIDE WITH HIS BACKHAND FLICK.
7-14 Christinna nets her tap at the net.
5-14 OH, THAT IS JUST MASSIVE! Ko Sung shuffles left and drills a smash past Eom's attempted defence.
5-13 Ko Sung lets the return from Eom fly wide.
5-12 CHAN WITH A DOWN THE LINE SMASH PAST PEDERSEN'S FOREHAND.
4-11 KO SUNG IS FLEXING HIS MUSCLES NOW AND SHOWING THE RANGE IN HIS ARMOURY. He lines up for a huge smash but plays it with soft hands.
4-10 WHAT A HEFTY SMASH FROM KO SUNG. Well directed too. Low and to the backhand of Eom, who nets on the return.
4-9 Service error.
3-8 Mighty smash by Chan Peng on the body line of Ko Sung, who can only manage to hit the return wide.
2-8 Wow, what a start this has been by Pedersen and Ko Sung. Ko Sung, from the back, taps the shuttle across the net off his backhand with perfection to take the lead up to six points on the turn.
Pedersen to serve first.
B. Sai Praneeth wins his Trump match 15-11, 15-13 to take Bengaluru 4-0 up and seal a third-place finish for the Raptors.
Game 2- Sai Praneeth wins 15-13
15-13 GAME AND MATCH, SAI PRANEETH! YET ANOTHER ERROR IN JUDGEMENT AS VINCENT LEAVES IT LATE BEFORE RETURNING THE SHUTTLE WITH A SLICE OFF THE FOREHAND. SAI LATCHES ON TO THE RETURN WITH A CROSS-COURT SMASH TO SEAL THE DEAL.
14-13 Vincent is giving it his long. Dives to his left to defend a smash from Sai but ends up hitting the shuttle into the stands.
13-13 WILL VINCENT FORCE A DECIDER? SAI DRAGS HIS BACKHAND LIFT WIDE.
13-12 Vincent is far from giving up. A 317 kph smash across the court off his forehand.
13-11 Just two points away from the win. Vincent dives forward to return the shuttle but it's only a short lift. Sai puts away the shuttle with ease.
12-11 BRILLIANT RALLY AND THE 20TH SHOT, BY VINCENT, FALLS JUST LONG.
9-9 Smart, but long. Sai outfoxes Vincent by approaching the net for a flat push but he overhits it as the shuttle floats long.
9-8 Huge smash from Sai but he concedes the point as the shuttle rams into the net.
9-6 Lucky! Vincent's cross-court half smash clips the net heavily and trickles over.
8-5 Vincent lunges forward and his attempted backhand dribble finds the net as Praneeth is on course to making it 4-0. Remember, if the Raptors win with either 4-1 or 5-0, it will replace Pune at the third spot in the finals standings.
7-5 Vincent nets the return off his backhand while trying to return a flat push from Sai.
6-5 Sai's parallel push clips the tape and falls back in. Unlucky.
4-4 Neither players are refusing to let go off the lead and are fighting tooth and nail to hang in there.
GAME 1- Sai wins 15-11
15-11 Sai Praneeth takes game 1 with ease.
14-10 Four game points. Taps the shuttle past Vincent's backhand.
13-10 Sai goes wide with his down the line smash.
13-8 Good approach from Sai as he punishes Vincent for his loose return with a half smash.
12-8 Vincent's cross-court push rams into the net.
10-7 Yet another error in judgement from Vincent. Sai's drive falls well inside the baseline and Vincent leaves it alone thinking its long. He looks at his bench with an awkward smile.
9-6 This time, Sai floats his return long.
9-5 Two points after the break for Vincent before smashing the birdie wide off the forehand.
8-4 Sai nets the short lift off his forehand at the net.
8-3 Sai starts off strong. Down the line smash off his forehand and finds the line with ease. A five-point cushion on the turn and he has barely broken a sweat so far.
6-3 Oh, that is delightful from Praneeth. He waits late before pulling the trigger on the forehand, cross-court push. Vincent feels it is floating long and lets it be before realising that it's not. He tries for the return but errors.
5-2 Vincent is drawn forward by a drop from Praneeth and the former shoots his forehand lift long. Sai lets the shuttle alone and his judgement is spot on.
3-2 Sai Praneeth dominating the proceedings so far. He has called the Trump on Vincent and with the Raptors having already qualified for the semis, he will be under less pressure and will play more freely.
Vincent to serve first.
Tai Tzu-ying takes Bengaluru Raptors 2-0 up by beating Beiwen Zhang 15-12, 15-12 and knock Awadhe out of the competiton.
Game 2- Tai wins 15-12
15-12- BEIWEN NETS THE RETURN AND TAI HAS WON THE MATCH TO SEAL BENGALURU RAPTORS' SPOT IN THE SEMIFINALS. THE AWADHE WARRIORS HAVE FALTERED AND MISS OUT BY A WHISKER.
14-12 Half smash and it's still good enough as Beiwen errors with the return.
13-12 Great defence from Beiwen but it's Tai's offence that comes good. Right from the centre of the court, Tai goes to Beiwen's forehand and wins the point as the shuttle doesn't cross over.
12-12 HOW GOOD WAS THAT RALLY. BEIWEN GAVE IT HER ALL, INCLUDING MULTIPLE HALF SPLITS TO RETURN THE SHUTTLE OVER THE NET BUT EVENTUALLY SHE HITS ONE WIDE. Tai has upped the ante big time after realising she was in a bit of trouble.
11-12 Tai pulls one back.
9-11 ZHANG IS RETURNING SO WELL AFTER THE BREAK. Once again, Tai with a hefty smash and Beiwen does the same, goes cross-court with soft hands with the return, but this time with her backhand.
8-9 That's brilliant from Zhang. Tai with another massive smash down the line but Zhang on this occasion is up to the task as she stands tall and flicks the shuttle cross-court for a winner.
8-7 But that doesn't stop Tai from taking a slender lead at the break. Tai is unbeaten so far and has only dropped two games. One to PV Sindhu and the other to the 16-year-old Gayatri Gopichand. But at the moment, she looks en route a straight-games win.
7-7 Zhang continues to fight as Tai hits the return long.
7-6 That's a miss and Tai's hop and smile says the same. Slams the forehand, down the line smash into the net.
7-5 Tai drills down a hefty smash past Zhang's forehand.
6-4 This time, Zhang gets the pace on her drive just fine as the shuttle lands inside the baseline. Tai with an error of judgement as she lets the shuttle alone only to realise she was wrong.
6-3 Cross-court drop by Tai and the lead continues to increase.
5-3 Beiwen's smash rams into the net.
4-2 Tai with a two-point cushion as Zhang's forehand drive down the line drifts wide.
3-1 DROP, SMASH, POINT! Tai increases her lead after Zhang's return finds the net.
2-1 Loose serve from Zhang as she hits it wide. She challenges the call but it turns out to be a futile challenge.
1-0 CRAFTY FROM TAI. A brilliant exchange of drops by the two and Tai puts the point to bed with a tap past Beiwen. Tai's racket had touched the net and her smile says she knew it. She gets away with one.
Tai to serve first.
GAME 1- Tai wins 15-12
15-12 BIT OF LUCK FOR TAI AS HER TAP CATCHES THE TAPE AND TRICKLES OVER. WHOA! WHAT A FIRST GAME THAT WAS. THERE IS NO WAY ZHANG, IF SHE GOES DOWN, IS LETTING THIS GO WITHOUT A FIGHT.
14-12 ALMOST THERE. Zhang's cross-court, forehand dribble falls just wide.
13-12 Tai turning it on now. Follows finesse with brute power as her 309 kph smash is returned into the net by Zhang.
12-12 OH, TAKE A BOW! BEIWEN DOES A FULL SPLIT WHILE TRYING TO GET THE TAI DECEPTIVE DROP.
11-12 Beiwen with a great smash down the line and Tai leaves it alone thinking it was long. But the shuttle just finds the line.
11-11 THAT'S A TAI SPECIAL! She lines up for a smash but just pulls her elbows back and plays a vintage cross-court drop.
10-11 BEIWEN AHEAD NOW! Tai's overhead smash rams into the net.
10-10 Great approach from Beiwen. First, she goes deep with her down the line smash and forces Tai with a loose lift off her backhand and then charges to the net for an easy put away smash.
10-9 Zhang's forehand drive floats long.
9-9 Scores level. Tai with a cross-court smash and hits it just wide.
9-7 This time, Tai times her smash to perfection and gets it past Zhang's forehand.
8-7 Two unforced errors from Tai after the break and Beiwen is right back. First, Tai's dribble ends up into the net before hitting the smash down the line wide.
8-5 No trouble so far for Tai as Zhang trails by three points on the turn after smashing the forehand, down the line wide.
7-5 Tai fetches the shuttle with her backhand from the left corner. Goes cross-court but shoots it wide.
7-4 Zhang with a powerful inside-out smash off her forehand and even Tai isn't able to cross the return over.
5-2 Oh, the master is at work. Draws Zhang forward with a drop and then goes cross-court with the push. Incredible deception.
4-2 Tai finding her rhythm. Brilliant smash down the line and Zhang nets the return off her backhand.
3-2 Tai with the lead.
2-2 It's in! Tai's left finds the baseline and Beiwen had left it alone thinking it was going to drift long.
1-2 Beiwen with a delightful drop and a lunging Tai cannot get the shuttle across.
1-1 This time, world No.2 nets the return.
1-0 World No. 14 Beiwen's dribble finds the net.
Tai to serve first.
With this win, Brice has hurt Awadhe's residual hopes of making the semis and has put the Raptors in a commanding position to make the semis. Awadhe now needs to win all the remaining matches to qualify or else, the Raptors go through.
THREE BROKEN TRUMPS ON THE RUN FOR BRICE. HE IS PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR BENGALURU.
WHAT A PERFORMANCE FROM THE FRENCH PLAYER AS BRICE LEVERDEZ BEATS AJAY JAYARAM 15-9, 15-9 TO BREAK THE TRUMP AND TAKE BENGALURU 1-0 UP.
Game 2- Brice wins 15-9
15-9 BRICE NAILS YET ANOTHER CROSS-COURT, FOREHAND SMASH TO TAKE THE SECOND GAME AND THE MATCH.
14-9 Ajay does well to move Brice all around the court with multiple drops and lifts. Eventually, Brice's backhand lift finds the net.
14-8 Six match points for Brice as Ajay's backhand, parallel push is way long.
13-8 Clever return from Ajay but it falls just wide. He goes for a sliced cross-court return but another unforced error from the Indian.
12-8 That is class from Brice. A flat smash from Ajay and Brice simply taps it across the court for a wonderful winner.
11-8 ANOTHER MASSIVE SMASH FROM BRICE. 387 KPH AND AJAY FAILS TO CROSS THE RETURN OVER THE NET.
10-8 Ajay gifts the next point to Brice with a regulation return falling wide. He challenges the call but the replay shows that the on-court call was right.
9-8 Just wide. Down the line with the smash that falls just wide.
9-7 Good drop from Ajay as Brice is unable to cross over the net.
9-6 Ajay floats the shuttle long.
8-6 Once again, Ajay starts well after the interval as he bags four points in a row. Great smash down the line that forces Brice wide with his return. Then, he goes long with his service and Brice isn't able to cross it over the net. Next point, Brice smashes one down the line that Ajay smartly returns with soft hands. Brice lunges forward to return it but loses his footing and lets the shuttle drop. He takes his time to get back up but he is okay.
8-2 Brilliant deception from Brice. Lines up for a huge smash and Ajay was getting ready for it. But plays it straight with softer hands and Ajay was completely outfoxed.
7-2 Good approach form Brice as he attacks the net for a quick jab for a winner.
6-2 Ajay lifts it loose and Brice pounces on it with all his might. Drills down a massive down the line smash. 330 kph. MASSIVE.
5-2 Ajays unforced errors are only making it easier for Brice. This time. Ajay's attempted dribble finds the net.
3-2 Good deception from Ajay to win the point. He returns the service with soft hands across the court after lining up for a harder push.
1-1 Ajay places his forehand push to perfection as it birdie finds the court deep in the right corner.
1-0 Brice takes the first point of the game.
This match, virtually, will decide the fate of Awadhe. If Ajay loses one more game, the scoreline will then read 1-0 in the Raptors favour.
GAME 1- Brice win 15-9
15-9 ERRORS GALORE FROM AJAY JAYARAM AS BRICE RUNS MERRY ON HIS ATTACK AND AJAY'S UNFORCED ERROR TO TAKE THE FIRST GAME AGAINST THE TRUMP.
14-9 This time, Ajay's dribble doesn't have enough legs to cross over.
13-9 Ajay goes long with his forehand push yet again.
12-9 Nicely done by Brice. Poor lift from Ajay. Brice gets good elevation on the jump and hammers down a mighty cross-court smash.
11-9 Into the net goes Ajay and Brice increases his lead.
10-9 The lead is back with Brice as Ajay's return shoots wide.
9-9 Ajay Jayaram makes his fifth unforced error as his half smash is into the net.
8-9 Brice hits his forehand drive wide and has conceded the lead.
8-8 Ajay equalises with a smart push up and over Brice. The French shuttler though it was drifting long and left it alone.
8-7 Unforced error from Brice, who hits the birdie wide while smashing. Brice challenges it and fails as the replay shows the shuttle feel just out.
8-6 Easy put away from Ajay as he charges to the net for a quick backhand push over the net. The shuttle finds the body of Brice and Ajay is quick to stick his hand out for an apology.
Awadhe needs to win by a margin of three of more to progress to the semis.
Next up, world No. 2 Tai Tzu-ying will be up against world No. 14 Beiwen Zhang. Do not go anywhere as Sai Praneeth will be in action after the women's singles match.
8-5 Great approach and great push at the net from Brice as he enjoys a three-point cushion at the net.
7-5 This time, Brice gets his down the line smash right and Ajay's backhand isn't able to cross the shuttle over the net.
6-5 Three in a row and Ajay claws his way back into the game. Brice's backhand push from the corner ends up into the net.
6-4 Make the two in a row. Brice errors with his jump smash, that slams into the net.
6-3 Unforced error from Brice as he stretches back for the forehand push but hits it wide.
6-2 Unforced error from Ajay as he rams the forehand smash into the net. 26 shots, that rally.
5-2 Sharp angle fro Brice and he executes the cross-court smash with immaculate precision. Ajay's backhand isn't quick enough.
4-2 Ajay mistimes his forehand push and the shuttle even fails to reach the net.
3-2 Brice inches ahead with a clever winner, up and over Ajay.
2-2 Great placement from the French. 364 kph smash that just finds the line.
1-2 Brice, on this occasion, nets the backhand push. The birdie catches the tape and falls back.
1-1 Ajay off the mark as Brice finds the net with his attempted smash.
1-0 Ajay goes just wide with his down the line, forehand smash.
Ajay to serve first.
Huge responsibility on the shoulders of Ajay to win his Trump and give Awadhe a crucial 3-0 lead.
Awadhe takes a 1-0 over Bengaluru asKo Sung Hyun/Shin Baek Cheol beat Arun George/Rian Agung Saputro 14-15, 15-7 15-11 to remain undefeated through the league stages.
Game 3- Ko Sung/Shin win 15-11
11-15 KO SUNG AND SHIN REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN THE LEAGUE STAGES WITH A GREAT WIN AGAINST THE RAPTORS PAIR. COMING TO THE POINT, ARUN AND RIAN TARGET KO SUNG WITH A SERIES OF SMASHES. BUT THE KOREAN WAS UP TO THE TASK AS HE FENDED OFF EVERYTHING, LITERALLY. THE 27TH SHOT OF THE RALLY SAW THE SHUTTLE FALL WIDE OFF RIAN'S FOREHAND.
11-14 Excellent service return from Arun, places it deep into the left corner.
10-14 Ko Sung gets the better of Rian's defence, who is at the net. with his smash and match points for the Koreans.
10-13 Saputro sends one long and Warriors inching close to the vicotry.
10-12 Brilliant defence from the Awadhe pair and great attack from the Raptors. But after 33 shots, Shin slams his flat push into the net.
9-12 Ko mixing it up. Goes down the line with his smash to force a poor return from Rian before going cross-court for the winer.
9-11 Saputro gives the point with a service fault. Costly!
9-10 30-SHOT RALLY AND IT COMES TO AN END WITH SHIN NETTING HIS DROP. Great entertainment though.
8-10 Ko Sung showing his attacking prowess with another smash.
8-9 Awadhe has the lead now as Arun fails to get his racket behind the shuttle before it hits his arm.
8-8 Did Ko Sung just do a split? Half split for sure. Brilliant defence as he gets low for a great cross-court, overhead return that is hit wide by the Raptors on the return.
8-7 Just one-point cushion for Bengaluru now.
8-6 Shin and Ko Sung halve the deficit with a flurry of smashes at Arun before Shin finds empty space with his last one.
8-5 Ko Sung's easy return is missed by both the Raptors due to some confusion.
8-4 ARUN GEORGE WITH A BEAUTY! All of a sudden, he is moving much quicker on the court and is more confident with the interceptions. Both Awadhe players are pushed to the left and Arun sees the opportunity to place his push deep into the right corner for the winner.
7-4 Much better from Arun at the net as he increases the lead with a push for the point.
5-4 Better from Ko. He sees Saputro pushed over at the net and directs his flat, quick push at him. The birdie flies over him and into no man's land.
5-3 Shin, at the net, misses an easy put away smash as the shuttle drifts long. He challenges the call and loses it.
4-2 Momentum with the Raptors as Arun brings out a quick, half-smash past Ko Sung.
2-1 Error in judgement from Ko Sung. At the baseline, Ko Sung lets the shuttle alone thinking it will drift ling before playing a hurried, loose lift upon realising it's well in. Arun George is all over the return as she shuffles to his right for a simple tap over the net for the winner.
0-1 OH, JUST TOO GOOD FROM THE KOREANS. First, Rian negotiates two smashes on the trott, one from Ko Sung and Shin each. Then, Shin at the net, goes cross-court with a half smash and Arun has no chance on the return.
Shin to serve first.
On we go to the decider....
Game 2- Shin/Ko Sung win 15-7
7-15 GAME TO THE AWADHE WARRIORS AND THIS WAS MUCH BETTER FROM THE KOREANS. Good net play from Shin and even better smashing from Ko Sung, who seals the game with a cross-court smash past Arun George. This match had a third game written all over it the moment the Koreans found their rhythm.
7-13 Arun responds with a down the line smash Ko Sung, who smashes his return into the net.
6-13 This time, Ko Sung sends down a mighty jump smash to Arun, whose backhand return finds the net.
6-12 Ko Sung with another huge smash down the centre.
6-11 Brilliant mini-battle between Rian and Ko Sung. The former with a flurry of smashes at Ko Sung and the Korean returns three in a row before netting the fourth.
5-10 Saputro on the money. At the net, makes the most of a poor return by Ko Sung, and sends across a brilliant smash.
4-9 Shin's push is returned into the net by Arun, who attempts a backhand, cross-court push for a winner.
3-8 Brutal! Arun George is very alert at the net this time and hits the push at the body of Shin, who takes evasive action and nets the return.
2-8 Huge lead for the Awadhe pair at the break as Rian fails to return the serve off his backhand over the net.
2-6 What happened there? Arun George rushes off the court mid-rally to steal a moment to change his racket and join back but Rian was left alone and the court was almost empty. Awadhe players oblige with an easy put away.
2-5 Oh, just wide. Ko Sung looses his footing while playing a drive and gives Arun an opportunity to put the point to bed. But the India's push flies over Ko Sung and flies long.
2-4 Service over after Shin drills a body line smash at Rian, who returns it wide.
2-3 Ko Sung's serve clips the tape and falls short.
1-3 KO Sung breaks his string while playing the forehand, cross-court push for the innwe.
1-2 WHAT A RETURN OF THE SERVE. He attacks the serve and places the push into the left corner for the winner.
0-1 Shin takes the first. Places his smash right between Arun and Rian for the point.
Arun to serve first.
GAME 1 Rian/Arun win 15-14
15-14 AND BENGALURU TAKES THE FIRST GAME. HAS TO BE THE POOREST SHOT KO SUNG HAS PLAYED SO FAR AND HIS EXPRESSION SAYS IT ALL. HE LOOKS UPWARDS IN DISBELIEF AFTER HE NETS A REGULATION, BACKHAND CROSS-COURT SERVICE RETURN.
14-14 Decider point as Arun hits his forehand drive way wide.
14-13 Arun getting into the thick of action. Great half-smash from the Indian and wrong shot selection from Ko Sung as he decides to go low and return it. But finds the net.
13-13 Saputro says I'll have some. Loose lift from Ko Sung and rightfully put away by Rian, who pulls off a great overhead smash at the net to level the score.
12-13 Awadhe into the lead. Ko Sung shows brilliant attacking skills as he gets the better of Arun's backhand with a great smash.
12-12 Shin levels it up. Quick rally and Shin takes the initiative as he intercepts and pulls of a great half smash for a point.
12-11 This time, Arun from back court net his forehand drive.
12-9 Great interception from Arun, who catches the opponents off guard with his quick jab at the net and forces them to net their return.
11-9 Warriors would have drawn level had it not been for a successful challenge. Rian's forehand, down the line smash from back court was called out but the replay showed the shuttle was well in.
10-9 Awadhe is hanging in there. Arun George, at he net, slams into the net.
10-8 Once again, good work from Ko Sung. Quick exchange between the two teams and Ko Sung does well to place the push right between Rian And Arun for a winner.
9-8 Booom! 359 kph smash from Ko Sung, on the service return, to reduce the deficit.
8-6 Rian's racket misses the shuttle completely at the net as Awadhe takes the first point after the break.
8-5 Arun George comes in at the back of his partner, Rian's smashes, and drills one over the net for a winner and the Raptors pair enjoy a three-point lead at the break.
4-4 Score level again as a cheeky cross-court drop, in response to the serve, from Ko Sung falls wide.
2-3 Service error from Rian as it falls short.
2-2 Ko Sung's flat tap at the net fails to cross over.
1-1 Brilliant rally and good defence from the Awadhe pair. After 44 shots, Awadhe bags its first point of the night.
1-0 Shin with the first error of the night as Bengaluru wins the first point. At the net, Shin lasms the smahs into the net.
Awadhe to serve first.
Important night for the two teams. The doubles pair of both the teams are out in the centre. Let's get started!
Last hurrah of the league stage:
HUGE MATCH TONIGHT AS WE WILL GET OUR FOURTH AND LAST SEMIFINALIST.
Tie 21, between Bengaluru Raptors and Awadhe Warriors, promises to be an exciting one as the two teams will fight for the final semifinals berth. A team needs to score at least 20 points by the end of the league stage to secure a top-4 finish. North Eastern Warriors topped the table with 22 points to go through. Chennai finished second with 22 points, only behind NE on wins count. Pune 7 Aces pipped Hyderabad Hunters 2-1 yesterday to seal a spot in the semis. Before the tie, it needed two points and it did just that.
Now, it has all come down the last league match. What needs to be done?
The bigger challenge lies with Awadhe, which is currently fifth with 14 points after five ties/25 matches. Bengaluru is currently fourth with 17 points after 5 ties/25 matches.
For Awadhe to win:
If Awadhe wins 4-1, 5-2 or 6-(-1), then it will go through. Anything less than 4-1 will mean Bengaluru advancing to the semis.
If 4-1 win for Awadhe: Bengaluru 18-18 Awadhe. (Awadhe goes through with better head-to-head record)
If 5-2 win for Awadhe: Bengaluru 19-19 Awadhe. (Awadhe goes through with better head-to-head record)
If 6- (1) win for Awadhe: Bengaluru 16-20 Awadhe.
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