18th Asian games; Iran shocks holders India in men's Kabaddi
Iran caused a major upset in Kabaddi defeating seven times champion India 27-18 in semifinals of men's section in the 18th Asian games on Thursday. The defeat, the second for India in the current edition, will for the first time since the introduction of the sport in the Games, see a gold medal match played without India.
India, however, had some consolation as its women's team entered the final defeating Taipei. Intriguingly, Indian women will face Iran for the gold medal match.
Incidentally, Iran has made gold medal round both in men's and women's sections.
Iran will now play Korea. In the other semi-final, Korea beat Pakistan 27-24.
Korea had beaten India 24-23 in a pool match.
For the first time, the Asian games men's Kabaddi final will not feature the traditional home of the sport - Pakistan or India.
India was to blame for its reverses in men's section here. Its complacency and refusal to do introspection after a loss to Korea in the pool matches turned out to be reasons for its failure to make the eighth successive final.
After playing a close first half, India failed to contain the rejuvenated Iranian team that went all out surprising more experienced Indians both in attack and defending. When the game started India had taken lead but by the team the game headed for halftime, the scores were level.
The defeat also dashed Indian hopes of a double gold in Kabaddi for the third time.
-PTC NEWS
