Kabaddi: India's men and women ease into semis at Asian Games

Six-time champions India notched up their third win on the trot with a 23-11 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan to top their group and storm into the semi-finals of the men's kabaddi competitions at the Asian Games in Incheon, on Tuesday.

India, who have won the kabaddi gold in each edition since the sport was added in the 1990 Asian Games, seemed to be heading towards a thrashing of the Pakistanis as they led 17-4 at the halftime.

But Pakistan, who were the silver winners in 2006 Asian Games, came back strongly in the second session in which they scored seven points as against six by the Indians. But the Pakistani fightback was too late in the day and the huge first half lead gave the Indians a comfortable in the end.

India, who have earlier beaten Bangladesh and Thailand, topped Group A with an all-win record.

Indian women's kabaddi team also produced a clinical performance to outwit hosts South Korea 45-26 to enter the semi-finals, topping the group en route.

The Indians, who beat Bangladesh 29-18 in their opening match, took a commanding 27-10 half time lead. They secured six points by packing off the entire Korean team thrice in the match, including twice in the opening half.

The bulk of their points, 32, came through touching or bundling out the rival players during raids or defending. They also got two bonus points for touching the bonus point line in the rival court.

The Koreans never really threatened the Indian women though late in the second half their raiders twice packed off two rival players.

For India, Mamtha was the dominant raider along with captain Tejaswini Bai while Pooja Thakur also did her bit.

Korea's Shin Somin suffered an ankle injury during a raid and had to be taken off the court. India await the runners-up of Group B in the semi finals scheduled on October 2.