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Kabaddi World Cup: India stunned by South Korea in opener

Updated on: 07 October,2016 10:16 PM IST  | 
Subodh Mayure | subodh.mayure@mid-day.com

Kabaddi fraternity stunned as Korea beat defending champs India 34-32 

Kabaddi World Cup: India stunned by South Korea in opener

Indian players try to tackle a Korean opponent (centre) during the Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad yesterday. India lost 32-34
Indian players try to tackle a Korean opponent (centre) during the Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad yesterday. India lost 32-34


India's kabaddi World Cup campaign began in a poor fashion when the Anup Kumar-led side, leading 18-13 at halftime, crumbled under the power and speed of Korea, ultimately losing by two points in a high-intensity game at Ahmedabad yesterday.


The defending champions were left shocked after the Koreans produced a clinical performance throughout the match. It was India’s only second defeat in international kabaddi. Former India kabaddi player Raju Bhavsar said the team failed to create pressure on the opponents.


Koreans in total control
“On the contrary, the Koreans had total control of the game. Our main raiders —skipper Anup Kumar and Rahul Chaudhari also did not play to their potential. We made substitutions very hurriedly. Korea entered the ground with a specific plan and they implemented it nicely,” the Arjuna awardee told mid-day.

Kishor Patil, who refused to be the manager of the Indian team at the main event, said the Koreans are quicker and stronger as compared to their Indian counterparts.

“India losing to Korea yesterday is a prime example of how this game is progressing across the globe and how we Indians are losing grip over it. Koreans are quicker and stronger and this time they improved a lot in their technique too. I don’t know what India’s future in kabaddi is,” Patil, who is also the Vice-President of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), added.

Another famed kabaddi player, Pankaj Shirsat, who led the Indian team to victory in the 2007 Kabaddi World Cup final, pointed out that the hosts didn’t concentrate on their game. “It was shocking to hear the loss. How can we lose to a team like Korea? It seems we had not concentrated on a team game, particularly the contribution of each and every player. It’s time to wake up and avoid these mistakes in the next games,” Shirsat asserted.

Iran crush USA 52-15
Iran produced a strong performance as they thumped USA 52-15. USA are making their debut in Kabaddi World Cup and their inexperience was evident as they barely troubled Iran throughout the match. Iran showed why they are an emerging powerhouse in Kabaddi with an impeccable all-round display.

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