–by Pratyusha Mukherjee Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
India’s women’s kabaddi team continued their unbeaten title defence with a commanding 48–24 win over Nepal in the semifinal at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium on Friday, booking their spot in the gold medal match.
India’s raiders were relentless through the contest, finishing with 35 out points to Nepal’s 18, while the defence held firm to restrict Nepal’s attacking options and force three All-Outs across the match. Sanju Devi was central to India’s raiding threat, repeatedly breaking through Nepal’s defensive line to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
India took control early, going into the break 31–17 ahead on the back of 23 out points and four bonus points, along with two All-Outs that Nepal’s defenders couldn’t counter. Nepal stayed in the contest through the opening half, picking up 13 touch points and a Super Tackle, but couldn’t close the gap.
The second half saw India manage the game comfortably, adding a further 17 points, including one more All-Out, to close out the match 48–24. Nepal’s response yielded five touch points and two bonus points after the restart, not enough to trouble India’s lead.
With the win, India advance to the gold medal match, which will be played at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium on Saturday, September 26, against the winner of the second semifinal between Iran and Chinese Taipei. India will be chasing a successive Asian Games title, continuing a campaign that has shown little sign of a challenge from the rest of the field.
