Ruthless Iran thrash Thailand at Kabaddi World Cup

Iran continued their impressive run at the ongoing 2016 Kabaddi World Cup with a comfortable 64-23 win over Thailand in a rather one-sided Group B match here on Sunday.

Iran produced a masterclass performance in kabaddi as they thrashed minnows Thailand in the eighth match of the tournament. The result was never in doubt, as Thailand had no answer to the superiority of their opponents.

Iran, on the other hand, underlined their credentials as title contenders with a second consecutive victory. Iran inflicted six all outs on Thailand and look like the team to beat in the World Cup as they sit atop Group B with 10 points.

Thailand were trailing 0-2 after two minutes, but Santi Bunchoet came up with a brilliant raid to level the game at 2-2 after three minutes.

But Pro Kabaddi star Meraj Sheykh scored with a two-point raid in the fifth minute to give Iran a 6-2 lead. Thaliand forced a super tackle through Jantajam Peercdach as they trailed 4-6. Iran inflicted the first all out of the match in the eighth minute to lead 12-4.

Thailand's raiders found it difficult to cope with the physically strong Iranian defence in the first half. Iran led 16-6 after 11 minutes and Mohammed Ishmael made it 18-6 and reduced Thailand to just one man.

An all out was duly inflicted as Iran started to dominate the proceedings and led 21-6 after just 13 minutes. Fazel Athrachali and Soleiman Pahlevani scored five points each in the first half whereas Meraj Sheykh also contributed four raid points for Iran.

Thailand's inexperience was evident as the match wore on and Iran inflicted another all out in the 17th minute to lead 30-6. Such was Iran's dominance that Thailand scored a single point in the last nine minutes of the first half. Iran ended the first half with a formidable 27-point gap and led 34-7.

It was a one-sided affair in the second half as well as Iran continued to dominate and led 38-8 after 24 minutes. Iran inflicted the fourth all out of the match in 25th minute to lead 42-8.

Thailand were unable to match the agility of Iran's attack and defence as the mighty Iranians handed them a lesson in kabaddi.

Things got worse for Thailand as they suffered sixth all out in th 35th minute and trailed 11-62.

Thailand, however, redeemed some pride as they inflicted an all out in the 38th minute and trailed 21-64.

Meraj Sheykh was the most impressive raider for Iran and scored eight points whereas Soleiman Pahlevani also got eight points. The highest scorer for Iran, however, was Farhad Milaghardan who ended the match with 10 points.

--IANS

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