NK Academy came into the match having already confirmed their spot in the knockouts but with a lot of conviction to win this match and carry forward the winning momentum. Whereas, Amit Ashok Academy was coming on the back of playing out two back-to-back ties and needed to win this match for not just qualifying but consolidating at the top 2 spots as well. Both the teams wanted to go to the knockouts with a positive note and get a better shot at the finale.

The match was cut-to-cut at halfway into the first half as none of them were ready to give an inch and both were focusing on their respective strength to open a window of opportunity. That opportunity was realized by Ashu Malik of AAA as he not only successfully attempted a multi-point raid but also forced an all-out to push NK Academy on backfoot for the first time in the match as the margin of lead started to pile up in favor of AAA as scoreline went from 8-6 to 22-12 after the first half. 

The pressure at the halfway stage was mostly built on NK Academy due to multiple empty raids and then being forced to play which AAA realized and the rest of the work was finished by their defense.

The starting of the second half of the match looked like that the match is all but over as AAA was just rallying through NK Academy's defense and soon the scoreline looked like 30-16 in their favor. NK Academy from here needed some kind of motivation to get back into the match and that moment was provided to them by Umesh as he attempted a multi-point raid and forced an all-out on AAA which reduced the deficit to just 5 points and the scoreline read 31-26 at that stage. From here it was a roller coaster for both the teams as AAA wanted to hold onto their lead whereas NK Academy was going all-out to force a break. Despite NK Academy resting their star raider in form of Vinay Virender they did an amazing job to counter the proceedings but fell short by 2 points as the match ended at 38-36 in favor of AAA.

Umesh(11 points) of the NK Academy was awarded the best raider, best DOD raider, and the player of the match. Whereas, Krishan(7 points) of NK Academy was the best defender. Though none of the players won any individual accolades from AAA, they won the match with a collective effort and that will give them a lot of confidence going forward.

With the end of this game, we have the top 4 who will fight it out in the knock-out stage of the K7 Kabaddi Stage Up 2021. NK Academy, Amit Ashok Academy, P & J Academy, and DNH Foundation. 

Schedule for the Knock Out Stage of K7 Kabaddi Stage Up 2021

• Semi-Final 1: NK Academy vs DNH Foundation, 7/7/2021, 9.30 am
• Semi-Final 2: AAA Academy vs P & J Academy, 7/7/2021, 11.30 am
• 3rd Place Playoff: Loser of Semi-Final 1 vs Loser of Semi-Final 2, 7/7/2021, 6 pm
• Final: Winner of Semi-Final 1 vs Winner of Semi-Final 2, 7/7/2021, 8 pm

Venue: Future Fighters Kabaddi Academy, Gurugram.