Asian Games 2023 kabaddi: India beat Japan to set up semi-final against Pakistan

The Indian men’s kabaddi team finished on top of Group A with a 56-30 win over Japan at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China on Thursday.

The victory ensured the Indian kabaddi team progressed to the Asian Games 2023 kabaddi semi-finals unbeaten with four wins out of four matches. Chinese Taipei came second with three wins and a loss against India. Bangladesh finished third with two wins while Thailand registered their only win against Japan, who ended up with a wooden spoon with four losses.

While India, seven-time champions, face two-time silver medallists Pakistan in the semi-finals, Chinese Taipei run into defending champions Iran. The men’s semi-finals in kabaddi at the Asian Games 2023 will be played on Friday at the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre. The losing semi-finalists will also be awarded bronze medals.

Indian vice-captain Sunil Kumar and raider Aslam Inamdar were included in the Indian starting seven in place of captain Pawan Sehrawat and Naveen Kumar. While Sunil Kumar made an impact through his blocks in defence, Aslam Inamdar contributed with swift raids as India inflicted two all-outs in the first 10 minutes.

The third all-out followed soon and India kept adding to their lead rapidly. The first half ended with India ahead by 24 points at 35-11.

Japan amped up the intensity after the break and earned 19 points. However, India inflicted two more all-outs on Japan and bagged the kabaddi contest with a margin of 26 points.

Iran, who beat India in the semi-finals at Jakarta 2018, were the only team unbeaten in the group stage. The men’s kabaddi final at Asian Games 2023 will be played on Saturday.