INDIA,
IRAN ROMP INTO SEMIS
- By Ranjeet Dalvi
Panvel, New Mumbai, 25th Jan 07 : Kabaddi super power
India and Iran, the new rising power from Asia made it
to the semi finals of the second World Cup Kabaddi Tournament
here today. The Indians assured their fans that unfurling
the tricolour on the country’s republic day will
be a mere formality when they demolished Malaysia 68-21
by playing just at half pace. Iran were more ruthless
on their opponents Thailand, whom they vanquished 34-4.
Such was the confidence of the Iranian’s that they
chose to bench four of their regulars Mukhtar Saidi, Ali
Reza Ameri , Naser Kalbali and Kiyanosh Naderian and despite
losing premier raider Aref Fojerdi to a knee injury as
early as the fifth minute of play they did not panic and
went ahead comfortably 17-3 at the break. The Indian’s
also preferred to rotate their players and started with
Gaurav Shetty and barely used Ramesh Kumar Jr. as their
prime raiders. They both helped India shoot to a 12-0
lead as they scored a lona against Malaysia. As India
heaped misery on the Malaysians with another two lona’s
the writing on the wall was clear for their opponents
fielding an all Tamil origin team. India were up 35-7
when sides were changed.
Manpreet Singh, the darling of the packed house entertained
his supporters with two fine raids to wipe out the Malaysians
twice. He toyed with his two opponents as if a cat would
with mice. In between Malaysia’s corner man Magheshwaran
trapped Manpreet with a finely timed ankle hold. Malaysia
enjoyed a couple of good moments as they had three rivals,
Rakesh Kumar, Dinesh Kumar and Gaurav cooling their heels
after being trapped and sent out. The second half was
a repeat of the first with nothing going Malayasia’s
way. They were poorly equipped in all departments including
physical structure to pose any challenge what so ever
to the vastly superior Indian’s. India brought in
Uday Chouta, Naveen Kumar to give them a feel of the conditions.
With India relaxing a bit Malaysia’s Ananth Raju
Keresnen got the opportunity to garner a few points and
make the score board respectable.
Bangladesh who now face India in the semis carried too
many guns for Nepal, whom they beat 30-15 with ease. The
Bangladeshis who have participated in all the Asian Games
were vastly seasoned and their commanding 16-6 lead at
the half way mark was proof enough to know the ultimate
result. Bangladesh captain Zia ur-Rehman and his raider
partner Mohammed Abu Salah Musa with 11 and 5 points respectively
ensured their team’s victory.
In the last quarter finals Japan after a tense start wherein
they were locked 2-2 with their rivals from the emerald
isle of Sri Lanka, Japan drew away from their rivals to
lead 14-5 at the break with some good raids by their star
players Kokei Ito. After the break the Japanese kept well
ahead of their opponents with the help of Hiromi Takahashi
and Kazuhiro Takano. With five minutes on the clock Japan
were 27-16 ahead and a few heroics by the Lankans only
narrowed down the gap to 31-20. Kapila Bandara of Sri
Lanka gave an all round display for his side, which was
not enough. Japan won the hearts of the crowd with their
well drilled technique and their display today is warning
enough for the Iranians who will not dare take them lightly.
So the semi final line up is India – Bangladesh
and Iran – Japan in the morning session with a mouth
watering final to be played in the evening as hot favourites
India await the high profile clash between the winners
of the second tie.
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