Asian Games 2014: Indian men make seventh consecutive final in Kabaddi

India were superb in both defence and attack

Incheon, Oct 2 (IANS) Six-time champions India are just one match away from retaining the title as they thumped South Korea 36-25 in the semi-final of men's kabaddi of 17th Asian Games here Thursday and made it to their seventh consecutive final.

In Friday's title clash, India will meet 2010 Asiad silver medallists Iran, who beat Pakistan 25-14 in the second semi-final held Thursday.

Five-time world champions India stamped their authority in the second half, collecting 22 points, after taking a slender 14-12 lead at the end of the first 20 minutes. The hosts relied on athleticism and quick movement to match the Indians, who had topped Group A to enter the last four battle.

The nimble-footed Koreans took the Indians by surprise and ousted 10 Indians as compared to seven managed by the visiting side, whose raiders collected seven bonus points.

After taking a two point lead, India, with a starting line-up of skipper Rakesh Kumar, Jasvir Singh, Anup Kumar, Manjeet Chillar, Navneet Gautam, Gurpreet Singh and Subramaniam Rajguru, displayed technical and tactical superiority and mounted pressure early from the second half.

While Rakesh, Anup and Jasvir made a big impact in the attack, Gautam, Chillar and Rajguru did their bit in foiling rival's raid.

India ousted 19 Koreans during raids and defence, which helped them earn two lona points and one bonus point. The hosts knocked out 10 Indians and got three points for touching the bonus line in the opposite end. In the end, class and quality helped India register a comprehensive 36-25 win.