NEW DELHI: The Indian men's kabaddi team stormed into the final of the 19th Asian Games, thrashing arch-rivals Pakistan with a commanding score of 61-14 in the semifinal clash on Friday. India's dominant performance showcased their prowess and determination, securing a well-deserved place in the championship match.
The Indian team left no room for doubt as they surged ahead, leading Pakistan by a staggering 30-5 at halftime. Despite a brief resurgence from Pakistan in the early stages of the match, the Indian raiders and defenders quickly regrouped, relentlessly accumulating points and tightening their grip on the game.
In a masterful first-half performance, India managed to inflict three all-outs on Pakistan. Naveen Kumar played a pivotal role in leading the Indian comeback, while captain Pawan Sehrawat executed a series of spectacular raids that left Pakistan's defence struggling to contain him.
After the halftime break, India continued their dominant display, adding an impressive 31 points to their already substantial lead of 30. Although Pakistan managed to reach double digits, the relentless Indian raiders ultimately overwhelmed their defence, securing their spot in the gold medal match.
Key players, including Pawan and Naveen, contributed crucial all-outs in the first half, while Aslam Inamdar, Sachin Tanwar, and Akash Shinde delivered decisive all-outs in the second half. Vishal Bhardwaj stood out as a defensive stalwart, calmly executing ankle holds from the left corner position.
With this emphatic victory, India has set its sights on the gold medal. In the final, they will face the winner of the second semifinal, which pits Iran against Chinese Taipei.
(With inputs from ANI)
