Asian Games 2018: Analysis of the Iranian Kabaddi Team

Iran has surged out of a shadow to be one of the most dominant forces in the game of Kabaddi at present. They have brought a phenomenal manifest in transfiguring why Kabaddi can be extended internationally.

They astonished many Kabaddi fans around the world when they chose a squad of underdogs who actually get expected to warm benches, yet ended their run as the finalists in the Dubai Kabaddi Masters 2018.

An official from the Iranian Kabaddi team announced a 16-member men's squad comprising of Gholamreza Mazandarani as the head coach and Kharaghani as the assistant coach. It came in as a shocker that the selection committee had decided to drop Meraj Shiekh in their squad who was their former captain.

Here is an analysis of how things are shaping for Iran who'll be looking to attain their first gold medal in the Asian Games 2018!

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Raiders

From clockwise (top left): Mohsen Maghsoudlu, Abofazl Maghsoudlu, Emad Sedaghatnia and M. Esmael Maghsoudloo

Iran has produced some magical raiders who have pushed the limits of what we call a stable level of raiding. Having wrestling and mixed martial arts in their blood, these raiders are graceful, deeply enriched with modern raiding techniques.

It will be Mohammad Esmael Maghsoudloo who will be leading the raiding unit. Here is a nostalgic stat for you, he attained 20 raid points with two super raids in Kabaddi World Cup 2016 which was an impressive show mastering the art of escape and hand touches.

He played a crucial role in the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2017 as well as Dubai Kabaddi Masters 2018 and was a prodigious raider thus far who'll look to impress everyone once again.

Abolfazl Maghsoudlu and Emad Sedaghatnia will be their first priority when it comes to do or die raids. Their extensive legs allow them to snatch bonuses and improvise toe touches along. Abolfazl being an experienced campaigner and Emad coming out of freshness, both will look to save the team from crucial hectic situations.

A raider like Mohsen Maghsouldlu is a perfect mix of pace and adroitness who will definitely come in handy considering Iran is a bit short of raiders. However, with the inclusion of multiple all-rounders, this shouldn't be their major problem.

Defenders

Top (Left to right): Mohammad Malak, Saeid Ghaffari and Hadi Oshtorak. Below: Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mighani.

If India is known to produce the majority of sharp-minded raiders, Iran is known to produce beasts like defenders who can crush big names through their tackles.

The corner duo of Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mighani in the left corner and right corner respectively together caught a lot of eyeballs during their impressive run in Pro Kabaddi Season 5.

Having wrestling background in the past, both of them gained a record 122 tackle points, the best by any corner duo so far in a single season with their swift timing and flexible reflexes.

Asian Games will be the stage where the left and right combination of Iran shows why they are the masters of the defence when the right corner will be improvising his dives and the left one certainly mastering his body blocks and holds.

Mohammad Malak and Saeid Ghaffari, both are known to play in the left cover position who can execute waist holds and double knee holds.

Even though they get to have the lesser reaction time, one of them will look to provide sublime support to their right corner; Abozar Mighani according to how the situation demands.

For the right cover, an obvious all-rounder will be set to play for Iran. Fans may also view an innovative approach in the mat if the coaching department considers Hadi Oshtorak in the right cover. However, Hadi's play will probably be considered as a substitutional defender.

Nonetheless, Iran has a plethora of numerous defenders and opposition will definitely have a difficult time considering how much depth they have in their defensive line up.

All Rounders

From left to right: Amir Hossein Maleki, Mohammad Nabibaksh, Hamid

Mizraei

Nadar and Mohammad Ghorbani.

Iran's slightly visible gap in the raiding unit will be fulfilled by the all-rounders from which they have plenty to choose from.

Given the job to wear the captain's hat, Amir Hossein did a fantastic job as a leader in the left corner in the Dubai Kabaddi Masters 2018.

We have seen how he loved to throw himself into the do or die tough situations and also having an innovative leadership approach.

He might as well be used in as a substitution if required, or also in the Left In position if the team opts to do so. However, benching him would definitely be a tough call to make for Iran.

Mohammad Nabibaksh was indeed the spotlight stealer. Whether it be scoring a 3 pointer in the very first raid versus Pakistan or dashing Ajay Thakur out of the court versus India, Nabibaksh has got all the moves an all-rounder needs to have.

He measures the opposition defence really well and knows how to unsettle the defenders with his shuffling ability from both left and right. Also, his dives and knee holds are pinpoint, Nabibaksh will definitely be an important player in the lineup.

Hamid Mizraei Nadar is a notable right cover to the team who has a strong command over body tackles whereas Mohammad Ghorbani can also be lethal to the mix of raid and defence play. It will be a tough call to make for the coaching team considering how well they've performed in the past and how they bring stability to the playing 7.

Some new faces are expected to arrive at the scene when team Iran will also receive the services from Meisam Abbasi and Mohammad Reza Shadloo.

The Iranians have always proven their dominance in the sport of Kabaddi since their arrival in 2004. With over 2 silver medals in their grasp, they'll look to defeat big match players and possibly gain their first gold medal. It is obvious they are coming to retreat, the fans should expect high from Iranian Kabaddi team in the upcoming Jakarta Asian Games.