Asian Games 2018, Men's Kabaddi Semifinal, India vs Iran: 5 Talking Points

#4 Failure in effecting the All Out

As Iran kept repelling India's efforts, you could see the Iranians gaining in confidence with the Indians getting more and more anxious and tense

It was a rout towards the end as Iran put daylight between themselves and India towards the closing stages of the match, however, things might have played out very differently had India get on top of the game and seized their moments early on.

India led 6-1 at one stage. Yes, a five-point lead with Iran reduced to just two men - their best defenders in Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mighani. After two empty raids, Iran's coach made a change, bringing on their super-tall raider Abolfazl Maghsodlou in place of Abozar to go in for the crucial Do-or-Die raid.

India's coach Ram Mehar Singh took a timely Time Out to instruct his players on how to play the situation. He even gestured what exactly he expected Abolfazl to do, emphasizing to India's left corner defender Girish Ernak that he was going to be the point of attack.

Seemingly no heed was paid to Ram Mehar's instructions as Abolfazl did exactly as India's coach had predicted, but Girish committed an error and gave up an easy point. Had they got Abolfazl there, Iran would have been down to one and the All Out would have been a mere formality.

From there, Iran revived themselves and got back on level terms. But it wasn't the only one. In the second half, India started well, picking up the first few points, reducing Iran down to two again. But captain Ajay Thakur was brought down with a Super Tackle that again staved off a potential All Out.

As Iran kept repelling India's efforts, you could see the Iranians gaining in confidence with the Indians getting more and more anxious and tense.

In the end, it was India who ended up getting All Out as Iran broke the game open to take a 24-14 lead.