Asian Games: Indian women beat Iran; men thrash Bangladesh in kabaddi
NEW DELHI: India continued their strong run in kabaddi at the Asian Games as both the men's and women's teams registered comfortable wins in their group-stage matches on Wednesday.
The women's team defeated 2018 gold medallist Iran 37-23 in their second group match. The men's team also recorded a big win, beating Bangladesh 48-25 in their third Group A match.
Indian women beat IranThe Indian women were ahead 19-15 at half-time. They continued to dominate in the second half and pulled away from Iran to complete a convincing win.
"We strategised a lot against Iran, but on the court it was very intense and tough. This is the first time we have won by more than 10 points. Before that, it was always a close match," women's coach Neeta Dadwe said after the win.
Asked who can beat India, Dadwe said: "No one in the world. India are No.1. It is our game. It started in India and we practise it a lot. We have a lot of good players and coaches.
"We work on our technique, speed and strength. We have confidence that we are the best."
Praising her players, Dadwe said: "Almost all the players are top-notch, but Pooja and Nikita are the stars of the Indian team."
India player Pushpa Rana was also happy with the win and said the team's target is to win the gold medal.
"We are happy to secure the win against Iran. We knew that Iran are a good team. Our goal is to win the gold medal," India player Pushpa Rana said.
"Our coaches know exactly how to use players on an individual basis. And we followed the plan that the coaches and senior players gave us. We played the match with good coordination, that’s why we won over Iran with a good margin.
"I hope that kabaddi will be an official sport in the Olympics in the future."
Men's team thrash BangladeshThe Indian men's team were equally dominant against Bangladesh.
India took a 29-9 lead in the first half. Bangladesh improved their performance after the break, but India were always in control and completed a 48-25 victory.
The Indian women had earlier beaten Bangladesh 42-21 in their opening group match. The men's team had defeated Japan 49-24 and South Korea 63-31 in their first two matches.
India eye more winsThe women's team will play their final group-stage match against Japan on Thursday.
The men's team will face Chinese Taipei in their final group match.
Both the Indian men's and women's teams had won gold medals at the previous edition in Hangzhou.
The women's team defeated 2018 gold medallist Iran 37-23 in their second group match. The men's team also recorded a big win, beating Bangladesh 48-25 in their third Group A match.
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Indian women beat IranThe Indian women were ahead 19-15 at half-time. They continued to dominate in the second half and pulled away from Iran to complete a convincing win.
"We strategised a lot against Iran, but on the court it was very intense and tough. This is the first time we have won by more than 10 points. Before that, it was always a close match," women's coach Neeta Dadwe said after the win.
Asked who can beat India, Dadwe said: "No one in the world. India are No.1. It is our game. It started in India and we practise it a lot. We have a lot of good players and coaches.
"We work on our technique, speed and strength. We have confidence that we are the best."
Praising her players, Dadwe said: "Almost all the players are top-notch, but Pooja and Nikita are the stars of the Indian team."
India player Pushpa Rana was also happy with the win and said the team's target is to win the gold medal.
"We are happy to secure the win against Iran. We knew that Iran are a good team. Our goal is to win the gold medal," India player Pushpa Rana said.
"Our coaches know exactly how to use players on an individual basis. And we followed the plan that the coaches and senior players gave us. We played the match with good coordination, that’s why we won over Iran with a good margin.
"I hope that kabaddi will be an official sport in the Olympics in the future."
Men's team thrash BangladeshThe Indian men's team were equally dominant against Bangladesh.
India took a 29-9 lead in the first half. Bangladesh improved their performance after the break, but India were always in control and completed a 48-25 victory.
The Indian women had earlier beaten Bangladesh 42-21 in their opening group match. The men's team had defeated Japan 49-24 and South Korea 63-31 in their first two matches.
India eye more winsThe women's team will play their final group-stage match against Japan on Thursday.
The men's team will face Chinese Taipei in their final group match.
Both the Indian men's and women's teams had won gold medals at the previous edition in Hangzhou.
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