Numerous kabaddi players who have been part of one or multiple Asian Games Gold Medal winning Indian teams and those who have not even played for India may be better off these days with Mashal Sports and Star Sports taking the cudgels for the humungous kabaddi fraternity in the country.
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Iranian skipper Meraj Sheykh gave a tough fight with his 5 points.
Iran enjoyed a stronger start and dominated the first half.
Thailand’s Khomsan Thongkham on the other hand, got his country’s points chart ticking then with a first touch point. Republic of Korea leveled the game at 2-2 in the sixth minute as they sent Abolfazel to the bench.
It will be interesting to see how the raiders fare on Saturday as both teams rarely commit themselves early to tackles. Thakur turned out be one of the most influential players in the match with a total of 12 points. Jang Kun Lee remained their top scorer tonight with four raid points.
But for 28 minutes on Saturday, it looked like India’s reign was on shaky ground. The team is led by Meraj Sheykh and he along with Gholamabbas Korouki, Mohammadesmaeil Maghsoudloumahalli, Mohammadtaghi Paeinmahali, Mohsen Maghsoudloujafari, are the key factor for the success of this team.
With 20 minutes up the clock visitors were up ahead by 18-13 making it ever hard for the hosts to claw their way back in time.
However, at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Iran squandered an eight-point lead in the dying minutes to lose 27-25, a loss which still haunts them to date. With less than five minutes left on the clock, Thailand scored with a two-point raid to trail 14-68 in the 36 minute.
Iran, after looking dominant in the first half, fell short in the second. Fazel Atrachali marshalled Iran’s players in their half and kept Pardeep Narwal from scoring.
With India reduced to just two men, Mohit Chhillar and Surendar Nada earned two points, pulling off a super tackle.
Pardeep Narwal and Ajay Thakur have formed a lethal raiding combination for India, and it is nearly impossible for the opposition to halt their dominance.
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Japan’s defense scored two quick points in two minutes as they tied the game at 12-12 after 15 minutes.
