India poised for kabaddi double

Incheon: 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 semifinals of the men's kabaddi competitions in the Asian Games here on Tuesday. India, who have won the kabaddi gold 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. They topped the group en route their last four entry.The Indians, who beat Bangladesh 29-18 in their lung opener, 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.