3RD WORLD CUP KABADDI 2012: India beat Iran by 72-23

Bathinda/Chandigarh, December 13, 2012: The world has witnessed the furious battles of Kabaddi in four different semi finals played at Multipurpose Sports Stadium at Bathinda late last evening.

Indian men team out smarten Iran with the margin of 72-23 points, Pakistan crushed Canada with the point difference of 53-27.

In women category Indian players kneeled down England by 56-7 points and Malaysian team defeated Denmark with scoring 41 point against Denmark’s 25 point.

Now the stage has set for the grand finale in which hot favorite host Indian men team would fight with Pakistan to retain the title for the third consecutive year and women Indian Kabaddi brigade would be up against abruptly emerged Malaysian Kabaddi team. In women section team India would also try to defend its title.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab and Dr. Mohammad Abbasi, Sports Minister of Iran jointly inaugurated the semi final match between India and Iran. Mr. Badal awarded the best stopper in Indian women team for her splendid performance in semi final against England with cash prize of Rs. 51,000.

The men’s final would be played on December 15 at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana while in women category final show down would be in action at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Jalandhar on December 13. The Kabaddi teams both in men and women categories which have lost their semi finals today would be in action once again for the last time on December 13 at Jalandhar for securing third position in the medal tally.

Men Section

India out classed Iran (72-23)

The highly publicized and much awaited semi final of the day was played between host Indian and Iranian team. In this match as expected India emerged victories. India defeated Iran with margin of 72-23 points. At the end of 1^st half India was leading with 44-8 points. Indian raiders Manminder Sran, Sukhdev Singh and Sukhbir Sarwan earned 11, 7 ans 6 points respectively whereas its stopper Eakan Hatur, Narinder Ram Bittu Duggal, Gurjit Goggu, Balbir Pala and Gurpreet Gopi Manaki bagged 5, 4, 4, 4 and 3 points respectively.

Pakistan thrashed Canada (53-27)

Other heavy contender for the title the team Pakistan took revenge from the Canadian team on the same ground, where they lost their semi final match against Canada in the 2nd World Cup Kabbadi 2011.   Pakistan embraced the victory with the margin of 53-27 point difference. At the end f 1^st half Pakistan team was leading with 29-13.

Pakistan’s raiders Obeidulla Lala, Akmal Doger, Mohammad Irfan and Waqas Butt scored 11, 9, 7 and 5 points respectively whereas stoppers Sujad Gujar, Musharf Janjua and Mansa Gujar bagged 7, 6 and 2 points respectively.  Raiders of Onkar Singh and Kulwinder Kinda Beharipuria 12 and points whereas its stopper Hardeep Tau scored 2 points.

Women Section:    

India kneeled down England (56-7)

One of the interesting moments of the day was when Indian women squad entered into the grand finale by crushing England with the margin of 56-7 points. At the end of 1^st half Indian team was leading with the difference 29-4 points. Raiders of Indian team Priyanka Devi, priyanka Pilaniya and Sukhwinder Kaur got 9, 9 and 8 points respectively whereas stopper Jatinder Kaur, Anu Rani and Mandeep Kaur bagged 8, 8 and 6 points respectively.

Malaysia defeated Denmark (41-25)

In other semi final of women section Malaysia out shined Denmark with the margin of 41-25 points. At the end of 1^st half Malaysia team was leading with the difference 29-13 points. It was close fight which finally ended up in Malaysia’s victory. Malaysia’s raider Manpreet Kaur and Paramjit Kaur scored 11 and 9 points whereas stopper Mandeep Kaur and Rekha got 8 and 7 points respectively. Raider of Denmark Marie scored 8 and stopper Tersa bagged 7 points.