IRAN,
ITALY, NEPAL, MALAYSIA, BANGLADESH POST WINS.
- By Ranjeet Dalvi
Panvel, Navi Mumbai, 24th January 2007- Iran made an assuring
start to their campaign in the 2nd World Cup Kabaddi tournament
which got underway at the Karnala Sports Academy near
Panvel here today. Posting wins were also Italy, Nepal,
Malaysia and Bangladesh. Iran who are no more considered
upstarts crushed a physically fit South Korea by a huge
80-18 margin. Nepal and Bangladesh, India’s immediate
neighbours handed out a lesson or two to their opponents
United Kingdom and Thailand respectively while registering
54-24 and 55-25 victories. Italy consisting of non-resident
Indians of Punjabi origins made an impressive debut to
beat Afghanistan 92-21. Malaysia another team having players
of Indian origin were too good for West Indies. Consisting
of Tamil expatriates Malaysia prevailed at 60-34 over
the Windies mostly known to play Cricket.
With Pakistan’s participation becoming dim and Kyrgyzstan
dropping out at the last moment the tournament will now
be reduced to 14 teams.
Iran started in whirlwind fashion by raiding their opponents
at will. So devastating were Naser Nazeri, Kianush Naderian
and Alidoust Mohammadi for Iran that they zoomed to a
35-7 lead at the halfway mark. The Koreans tried to match
them spiritedly but found out that speed and fitness were
no substitutes for technique and strategy. Seven lonas
(getting the full side out) by Iran saw them run away
with a huge victory in group B. The other match in this
group saw Nepal led by Sanjay Shreshtha and Motilal Mahato
also run away with a win by a considerable margin.
Bangladesh who are clubbed with Italy and Afghanistan
and must be now fancying their chances in the absence
of Pakistan warmed up to the tasks ahead by breezing past
their immediate neighbours Thailand. Mohammed Zia Ul Rehman
led from the front. His partnership with Mohammed Mozannal
Haque was too hot to handle for their opponents. Thailand
though they lost managed to garner 12 bonus points against
Bangladesh who were expected to defend their territory
well. For Thailand Anurak Bunsri impressed with his play.
Malaysia found the Windies a bit tough initially but the
latter suffered a setback. Their principle raider Alistair
West had to be carried of the field with a serious ankle
injury. The men from the Caribbean Islands faded thereafter
to trail 14-29 at the break as Ananthraju Keresnan and
Balkrishnan Arumugam got into their rythm. For the Windies
Howard Guy their captain and Runako Rodriguez tried to
make a fight of it. Nevertheless the Windies lost by a
comparatively smaller margin.
TOP
|
