Asian Games: Defending champs India crush Japan 43-12 in women’s kabaddi

The Indian contingent registered its first win at the 18th Asian Games as the women’s Kabaddi team thrashed Japan in their Group A opener on Sunday.

The defending champions won the lop-sided encounter 43-12, dominating the contest from start to end and staying on track to complete a hat-trick of titles in the multi-sport quadrennial event,

India inflicted the first all-out of the match on the Japanese before the first half, which ended 19-8 in favour of the defending champions. Japan were never in the match and the gulf in class between the two teams was evident for most part.

Also read: Asian Games Day 1, live blog

Apart from the first few minutes of the match, Japan were nowhere close to India. The Japanese defence had started the match well, winning a few tackle points, but could not sustain themselves. Their raiders were toothless in comparison.

The men’s team, also one of the favourites, start their campaign against Bangladesh later in the day followed by a match against Sri Lanka in the evening.

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Defending champs India crush Japan 43-12 in women’s kabaddi to start Asian Games campaign

India inflicted the first all-out of the match on the Japanese before the first half, which ended 19-8 in their favour.