Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 Day 2 Highlights: India swat aside Japanese threat to get third win

Right then, that's all we have for you from today's game! Join us back tomorrow at 10:30 AM IST as India face the Iranian challenge. With interesting battles like Mohammadreza Chiyaneh Shadlu vs Pawan Sehrawat and Haiderali Ekrami's quick feet vs Nitin Rawal, we will be in for an absolute treat! Until then, this is me, Maanas Upadhyay, bidding you adieu! Le Panga!

FULL TIME! Japan 17-62 India

A complete annihilation and in the end, it was far too simple once again for India to secure the win. It is their third win of the tournament and they have cruised to it. They have a hat-trick of wins and none of the teams so far have been a match for the Indian side. The Japanese contingent had a lot of heart but they were just no match. There were a few moments of brilliance, with the Japanese raiders putting in a couple of super raids, which will give them confidence but in the end, it was quite a one-sided affair. They will want to move on from this defeat and get back to winning ways. As for India, they will face Iran next up and will want to keep their unbeaten streak going.

40' SUPER RAID! The Indian defenders stand back and the raider is allowed to pick the bonus. He gets a kick on Vishal Bharadwaj in the left corner and Surjeet Singh and does not put in any much effort as he allows the raider to go past the mid-line.

Japan 17-62 India

40' The Japanese raider picks up pace, runs around and gets in a bonus point in front of the right corner.

Japan 14-62 India

39' ALL OUT! A self out by the left corner as he steps past the end-line. Sachin gets a hand touch on the other remaining defender.

Japan 13-62 India

39' A comfortable ankle hold for Vishal Bharadwaj and jersey no. 10, arguably Japanese best raider is out!

Japan 13-58 India

38' Do-or-die raid for India and Sachin comes in for it. This time around, he finds some success as he stretches and gets a hand touch on the right corner.

Japan 13-57 India

37' The Japanese raider steps into the lobby and ends up going out of bounds by himself. A self out and India get another point.

Japan 13-56 India

36' An ambitious back-hold is attempted by the right corner but Aslam Inamdar turns and escapes. Following this, the Indian defenders tackle the Japanese raider in a do-or-die raid.

Japan 13-55 India

35' Do-or-die raid for India and Sachin is tackled! As soon as he attempts the bonus point in front of the right corner, the left side of the defense run around and pile on top of him.

Japan 13-53 India

34' Do-or-die raid for Japan and the raider perishes! He runs straight into Nitish Kumar's block and the rest of the defense are onto him in a flash to pin him down.

Japan 12-53 India

33' Aslam pushes back the defense by attempting a hand touch and picks up a quick bonus in front of the right corner.

Japan 12-52 India

32' ALL OUT! It is a surrender raid for Aslam Inamdar as the lone defender pushes him back over the mid-line.

Japan 12-51 India

32' Do-or-die raid for Japan and the raider perishes. Vishal Bharadwaj puts in a back-hold and another defender joins him to complete the tackle.

31' Sachin picks up pace and he gets a hand touch on the right-in defender.

30' A swift sliding toe-touch from Aslam Inamdar and he sends back Masayuki with it.

Japan 12-46 India

29' Do-or-die raid for Japan and the raider has a try at a bonus point. Runs straight into Pawan Sehrawat's block. Pawan, who was playing the right corner, now picks up a point in the defense.

Japan 12-45 India

28' Sachin turns and escapes as the defender runs around for a block. Goes through comfortably and gets another point as a defender had come around for assistance.

Japan 12-44 India

27' Oh what a raid! SUPER RAID! Do-or-die raid for Japan and the raider strikes! Goes deep and attempts a bonus as the corners converge for the tackle. He flies through the air and thrusts himself to the mid-line. Both corners and Aslam Inamdar, who tries tackling him, have to depart.

Japan 12-42 India

25' Aslam Inamdar picks up a bonus point in front of the right corner defender.

Japan 9-42 India

25' Sachin puts in a smart toe-touch on the left corner to pick up another point.

Japan 9-41 India

25' ALL OUT! The raider picks up a bonus point but goes into the lobby while attempting an ambitious kick.

Japan 9-40 India

24' Aslam cannot execute the ankle hold this time as the raider returns with a point following which, Sachin sends back the left corner to get Japan down to one man again.

Japan 8-37 India

23' A poor attempt at a tackle from the left corner and Aslam Inamdar escapes easily.

23' Japan have switched the do-or-die raid sequence by picking up a smart bonus point in front of the covers.

22' Do-or-die raid for India and Sachin goes in for it. He ventures deep, gets a hand touch on the left corner and also gets another on the defender who had come for assistance.

Japan 6-35 India

22' Do-or-die raid for Japan and the raider is trapped! Tries a bonus but Aslam Inamdar puts in ankle hold to pin him down.

The second half is underway!

Substitutions: Sachin and Vishal Bharadwaj have been substituted in. Arjun Deshwal and Nitin Rawal are the two Indians who will make their way to the substitutes bench.

Sachin and Mohit Goyat among others are warming up. We might just see some substitutions now for India.

HALF TIME! India 32-6 Japan

India seem to be cruising towards another comfortable win in this contest. The Japanese have collected a couple of wins in this contest but they are no match for the mighty Indians. One interesting talking point is that Naveen Kumar did not start. India will be aiming another big win here. Won't be the worst of ideas to give the bench a go in the rest of the contest.

20' Do-or-die raid for Japan and the raider is pinned down as he ends up venturing too deep and Nitin Rawal puts in a solid ankle hold.

India 32-6 Japan

20' Do-or-die raid for India and skipper Pawan shoulders responsibility. However, he runs straight into the double ankle hold of the right corner defender and is brought down!

India 31-6 Japan

The game has been slowed down and is being played on the do-or-die raids.

18' Do-or-die raid for Japan and the raider fetches his side a point as he pushes away Surjeet, who was attempting a dash, and goes past the mid-line easily.

India 31-5 Japan

17' Do-or-die raid for India and Aslam Inamdar strikes! He ventures deep and entices the cover for coming in for a dash. Uses the lobby well to turn and escape to the mid-line!

India 31-4 Japan

15' A side-kick from Pawan on the left cover defender fetches him a point. In the next raid, Surjeet puts in a solo tackle as he dashes out the raider.

India 30-4 Japan

15' ALL OUT! The bonus is granted to the Japanese raider and Surjeet runs around with the dash, when the raider surrenders.

India 28-4 Japan

14' Pawan uses his height to drag the defender through to the mid-line after an ankle hold was attempted.

India 25-3 Japan

14' As soon as the raider attempts the bonus point, Nitin Rawan puts in an ankle hold and pins him down.

TIMEOUT called by the Japanese coach. It is E Bhaskaran who has come to have a few words with the Indians.

13' Aslam Inamdar is blindsided as the right corner runs around with a dash. Aslam uses the lobby well to escape by sliding his foot in.

13' Aslam Inamdar runs across and gets a running hand touch on the left corner.

India 22-3 Japan

12' Do-or-die raid for Japan and India manage the tackle just centimetres inside the mid-line! Was a very advance block and the corners combined to pin him down. The raider's foot was on the line but did not cross it.

India 21-3 Japan

11' The right-in defender puts in a surprise dive and Aslam Inamdar is caught as he perishes to the double ankle hold.

India 20-3 Japan

10' A backwards sliding toe-touch by Arjun Deshwal and he sends back the right corner defender.

India 20-2 Japan

9' Arjun Deshwal is pinned down as the right corner defender puts in a double thigh hold to immobilise him! Parvesh returns the favour with a solid block-dash to send the Japanese raider packing.

India 19-2 Japan

8' ALL OUT! The raider is granted the bonus point as it is a do-or-die raid. However, he is surrounded by the defenders, who pin him down.

India 18-1 Japan

8' A pursuit by Aslam Inamdar and he gets a comfortable touch on the left corner.