Iran defeats Japan for 4th straight win in 2016 Kabaddi World Cup
The Iranian men’s national team has kept its record unblemished at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup in India, and extended its winning streak at the prestigious international sports event to four.
On Saturday evening, the Iranian squad pulled off a 38-34 victory against Japan in its fourth Group B match at the TransStadia Arena in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.
The Iranians started the fixture brightly and were leading 6-1 only after six minutes as their Japanese counterparts were trying to establish themselves on the court.
The Iranian players were determined not to bow out, and barely gave the East Asians an inch in the game. Kazuohiro Takano finally found leeway in the ninth minute and scored Japan’s second point as the Samurais trailed 2-12.
Iran’s Me’raj Sheikh then tallied four points to help Iran close the first half at 19-9.
The Iranian sportsmen maintained the momentum after the break, and surged ahead. They were ahead by 35 points to 18 in the 33rd minute, when Japan bounced back in the last seven minutes and notched up 10 consecutive points to reduce the deficit to 28-35 in the 37th minute.
The Iranians used their experience though, and maintained concentration to fight back. They resisted Japan’s late showdown and eventually sealed the win in their favor.
The Iranians are scheduled to face Poland in their next match on Monday.
The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup began in Ahmedabad on October 7 and will finish on October 22.
Iran is pitted against the United States, Poland, Kenya, Thailand and Japan in Pool B, while India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Korea and Argentina form Pool A.
Kabaddi is the national game of Bangladesh and also the state game of the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Punjab.
India has the most successful kabaddi team on the world stage, having won every world cup and Asian games title so far, in both men’s and women’s categories.
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