By IANS,
Guangzhou : Indian men registered an easy 52-17 win over Japan while the women won a close battle 23-22 against Iran in extra time to enter the finals of the kabaddi competition in the Asian Games here Thursday.
The men, who have won five gold medals since the sport was introduced in the 1990 Beijing Games, scored 26 points in each half to advance to the next stage. The Japanese scored 5 and 12 points. India will face Iran in the finals Friday.
The Iranians upset Doha Games silver medallist Pakistan 17-16 to make it to the finals. The losing semi-finalists, Japan and Pakistan, secured the bronze.
The women’s semi-finals between India and Iran went down to the wire.
The match was tied at 17-17 at the end of stipulated time of 40 minutes. The Indians got a bonus point in extra time to clinch the issue. The team will meet in the final Thailand, who beat Bangladesh 34-23.
Bangladesh and Iran settled for a bronze each.
Women’s kabaddi is making its debut in the Guangzhou Games.