Kenya give Iran huge scare in Kabaddi World Cup clash

Favourites Iran survived a huge scare before prevailing 33-28 against Kenya in their Pool B clash of the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmadabad, India on Tuesday.

Iran sailed through their opening games with big wins over the United States and Thailand while on the other side; Kenya won their tournament opener against Poland in a 54-48 cliff hanger.

Iran took left court after winning the toss with Kenya Captain David Mosambayi raiding first and the skipper returned empty handed without taking any risk.

Abolfazl Mahalli went on the next raid for Iran and he was taken down after a superb ankle hold coming from Kenya’s defender.

Mosambayi was involved in a Do-or-Die raid after making two empty raids and the skipper was taken down in the left corner to hand Iran the advantage.

Then came the first Super Tackle for Kenya, as Mohammadtaghi was taken down by a superb double ankle hold.

Iran’s captain Fazel Atrachali then set of for his team’s first empty raid with each team awarded a point apiece after Patrick Muvai crossed the red line before being taken down.

Kenya then made the first substitution Muvai walked out and was replaced by Humphery Lihanda.

Abolfazl Maghsoudlou gave Iran a successful raid point and returned safely followed by another successful raid from Kenya’s Phelix Opana.

Kenya then clawed the deficit further when Mosambayi raided with success, followed by great teamwork to take team total to 10 match points.

Iran went into half time at 19-10 in what was a comprehensive show by both the teams.

With over eight minutes left in the second half, Kenya was on the verge on pulling out another upset in the tournament after trailing by only five points.

It got even closer for the Kenya when they were awarded two points as Maghsoudlou steps into the lobby as they cut the deficit to two.

But that is as good as it got for the underdogs when Saeid Ghaffari mounted another successful raid gives to give Iran an overall lead of four.

At the end, Iran continues their winning momentum as they edges Kenya by 33-28 for 15 points.

SQUADS

KENYA

Chripine Oketch, David Mosambayi [C], Elphas Otieno, Humphery Lihanda, Odhiambo Haggai, Phelix Opana, James Obilo, Bonab Were, Esau Otieno, Isaac N. Ikigu, John Murema, Julias Nyaduwa, Mudibo Edmond, Patric Muvai

IRAN

Farhad Milaghardan, Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, Meraj Sheykh [C], Abozar Mighani, Fazel Atrachali, Hadi Tajik, Milad Sheibak, Soleiman Pahlevani, Abolfazl Mahalli, Gholamabbas Korouki, Md. Esmaeil Loumahalli, Md. Taghi Paeinmahali, Mohsen Loujafari