Asian Games 2018 kabaddi semi-finals highlights: The men’s team will be pushed to the limit by Iran. (Source: Twitter)
Asian Games 2018 kabaddi semi-finals highlights: Silver for the women with possibility of more, bronze for men. That is the outcome of today’s kabaddi matches. The men’s kabaddi team have missed out on a gold medal for the first time since the sport was introduced in the Asian Games in 1990. The team is filled with players who are household names in the country because of Pro Kabaddi and it is this very team that becomes the first from India to not win an Asian Games gold.
Iran 27-18 India. One of the most damning scorelines ever in the history of the Asian Games for India. Kabaddi was introduced in the 1990 Asiad that was held in Beijing and since then, only India have won gold in the men's category. Ajay Thakur, Pardeep Narwal, Rahul Chaudhari, Deepak Niwas Hooda; they are all household names because of ProKabaddi, but this star-studded side becomes the first to finish an Asian Games without the top prize.
India trail Iran 25-14 and the seven-time gold medallists are staring at a semi-final defeat now. Just under four minutes left to play.
Each point being argued now. Rahul Chaudhary's succesfull raid takes out Abozar but Iran reply with a succesfull raid of their own. Rishank Devadiga is then dismissed and Iran's lead increases to five points. Iran 19-14 India
10 minutes to go, India trail 12-16 and Rahul Chaudhari has been brought in. Desperate times these for the Indian team. They have won gold in every Men's Kabaddi event since it was first held in the 1990 Asian Games.
Iran with two super tackles, one of which leaves Ajay Thakur with a bloody face. They now lead India 14-11.
At half-time, the score is 9-9. Ajay Thakur steps on to the lobby without a point and Iran take the lead for the first time in the match. India manage to inflict a tackle and come back to level terms. Iran continue to have less players on the mat and their defensive pair of Fazel Attrachali and Abozar Mighani are keeping them in the game.
Another Super tackle by Iran and this time it is on Monu Goyat, Iran level for the first time in the game, score is now 8-8.
Another Super tackle and Iran make it 6-7. Abozar and Attrachali are proving to be inconquerable for the Indian raiders.
India currently lead Iran 6-4 but the defending champions have lost a chance to inflict an all out on Iran. Ajay Thakur has been dismissed and that gave Iran a supertackle.
The women team have made it and now it is the turn of the men's team. They are facing an Iranian team that have the likes of Fazel Atrachali and Abhozar Mighani in defence. Those who follow Pro Kabaddi what a potent partnership that is. Ajay Thakur goes for the first raid and comes empty handed. Iran's first raid is also fruitless.
Indian women's Kabaddi team to play Iran in the final. Iran beat Thailand 23-16 in their semi-final fixture
Chinese Taipei could not repeat their first half performance and the dominant Indians pulled away. They win 27-14 and will be playing for gold tomorrow at 1.30 pm.
12 minutes into the second half and India lead Chinese Taipei 20-14. They are very close to securing a silver medal here.
India are more cautious in the second half and have managed to take a 16-10 lead in the second half.
AT HALF TIME: India lead Chinese Taipei 11-8. It looked like we have another walkover in our hands when India raced to a 5-1 lead but Chinese Taipei managed a super tackle and have matched the Indians ever since. The latter managed to take three points and pulled away towards the end of the first half but this is quite a contest.
A super tackle and couple of brilliant raids and Chinese Taipei have come back to level terms against India! The score is now 7-7. This could very well be the Indian team's first true test.
Here we go, the women's semi-final begin and India have taken a 5-1 lead in the first five minutes.
India are the heavyweights in kabaddi and it shows in some of the scorelines we have seen over the course of this tournament. One can expect the women's team to sail through this semi-final and secure a silver in as they face Chinese Taipei. The men's team, on the other hand, will have a more difficult time as they face a strong Iranian side. Pakistan face South Korea in the other men's final which means that an India vs Pakistan final remains a possibility.