Pradeep Narwal was the hero of the day, as India completely dominated Thailand in the second semifinal.
Ahmedabad: Hosts India hardly broke sweat, as they steamrolled Group B toppers Thailand 73-20, in the semi-final of the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup, at the Transstadia, in Ahmedabad, on Friday.
On a day when the visitors were completely outclassed by the hosts, Pradeep Narwal conjured-up the highest individual score of the match, with 14 points to his name. Meanwhile, the likes of Ajay Thakur (11) and Nitin Tomar (seven) also impressed in a one-sided game.
India got off to a great start, with captain Anup Kumar bagging a bonus point against Thailand, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Consequently, a series of successful tackles and raids resulted in India rushing to a five-point lead, before Thailand could register their first point, which was earned after a successful raid by skipper Khomsan Thongkham.
It did not take long for the hosts to run amuck among their opponents, as Thailand were All Out at an early stage, with then score at 11-2. The Thailand team found it extremely difficult against an in-form India side that looked especially sharp in the raiding department.
The Indians got the visitors All Out early on, with the score at 11-2, something that we were to see five more times in the match.
Thailand managed to creep their score into double figures. However, that was not before Pradeep Narwal marched into the Thai half, to complete a brilliant super-raid, earning his country three more points.
The battering was relentless for Thailand, as India conducted one successful raid after another, in the match, finally inflicting the sixth All Out of the game upon the Group A toppers, with the score at 59-10.
India took their foot off the pedal slightly, as the Thai side managed to claw back 10 points in the last few minutes of play. The only consolation for Thailand, being that the Indians were not able to break a record that they had themselves set, a few days back.
India set the record for the highest number of points difference in a Kabaddi World Cup match – 54 points – after defeating Argentina 74-20 last week. The way this match was going, it seemed as if the hosts would have easily beaten their own record. However, that was not to be, as Thailand clawed a few points back, ending the match with a 20-73 loss – 53 point difference. Iran join India in the final again ![-"aa-"](-"http://images.deccanchronicle.com/42c985b8559b8a476f8f156e3168c20f4eba993a-tc-img-preview.jpg-")
Iran produced a superior display, in a hadr-fought victory over South Korea. (Photo: Kabaddi World Cup Media)
In the other semifinal, Iran completed a hard-fought victory over surprise Group A toppers South Korea.
The Koreans were coming on the back of a five-match winning streak, and were always going to be a difficult challenge for Iran, who along with India, are considered to be a Kabaddi powerhouse.
Iran captain and lead raider Meraj Sheykh was on form, scoring seven raid points, while Abozar Mighani marshalled their defence, scoring four points from tackles.
Although Sheykh opened the scoring with a do-or-die raid, it was Korea, who looked strong in the first half, inflicting an All Out upon Iran, with a 10-4 lead
However, Iran are not a side that gives up that easily, and mounted on a strategic comeback, that took them from a six-point to a two-point deficit at half time.
The Iranians used their superior defensive display to strategically weed-out all the Korean defenders, and finally in the second half, they managed to claw their way back level on points, at 15-all, significantly inflicting an All Out upon Korea, in one fell sweep.
There was no looking back from then, as the Iranians went on to capitalise on the momentum, to keep the pressure on Korea in the second half. Iran, who’s style of Kabaddi is deep-rooted in their traditional wrestling techniques, managed to keep themselves in the lead throughout the second half, as they brought down one Korean raider after another.
Captain Meraj Sheykh also kept the pressure on the Koreans at the other end with his successful raids. In the end, Iran’s defensive masterclass was too much for the Koreans to handle, as they bowed out, after taking it the tournament by storm.
This means that the two traditional Kabaddi powerhouses – India and Iran – are all set to battle it out for the World Cup once again, on Saturday. This is the third consecutive time that the two countries will face each other in a World Cup final.
India came out victorious on both the previous occasions, but Iran believe that they have the best chance yet, of beating India, who suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of South Korea in their first game.
