HOSHIARPUR: African nation, Sierra Leone and European nation Scotland today entered in the battlefield of 3rd World Cup Kabaddi as they played their debut matches at Hoshiarpur. League matches for Pool C and D were played in the Multipurpose Outdoor Stadium.
Chief Guest Sikander Singh Maluka, President, Punjab Kabaddi Association and Education Minister, Punjab have introduction with the players. Other dignitaries, who were present at the occasion included; Sohan Singh Thandal and Mohinder Kaur Josh (Both CPS), Surinder Singh Bhullerathan, MLA, Tikshan Sood, former Cabinet Minister, Varinder Singh Bajwa, former MP and Senior Akali Leader Paramjeet Singh Sidhwan.
In the first match, Iran beat Argentina with the margin of 70-18. At the end of first half, Iran team was leading by 36-8 points. Iran’s raider Shayan-Hadd-Afi-Kahlilabad and J. Behnam clinched 10-10 points. K. Behnam got 8 and Mustafa Hussein bagged 5 points, whereas stopper Mehdi Noghosbani scored 8, Alireza Safari 7 and Mohsen Mehri got 5 points.
On the other hand, Argentina’s raider Yuri Mier got 5, Ivan 4 and Fae Undo scored 3 points. Similarly, Argentina’s stopper Facundo, Fernando, Cristian and Orlando scored 1 point each.
In the Second match, Italy, which is participating for the second time in this World Cup, crushed Scotland with the margin of 66-19. At the culmination of half time Italy was leading with 38-7 points. Italy’s raider Baljinder Singh Kheerawali, Vivek Kumar Sonu, Dharminder Singh and Gurbinder Singh scored 8, 7, 7, and 6 points respectively. Italy’s stopper Harish Kumar, Tenwant Singh, Baljit Bhau, Balraj Baji Jand clinched 5, 5, 5 and 3 points respectively.
In the third match played at Hoshiarpur today, heavy weight contender Pakistan easily won the match from fresher Sierra Leone with the margin of 52-12.
At the end of first half, Pakistan’s team was leading by 33-4 points. Pakistan’s raider Akmal Dogar, Vikas Butt, Ishfaq Putha and Mohammad Irfan scored 7, 7, 6 and 6 points respectively, whereas Pakistan stopper Asif Ali Maula, Mansha Gujjar and Vikas Gujjar got 6, 4 and 4 points respectively. Sierra Leone’s raider Suleman got 3 and Mohammad Jalah scored 2 points. Sierra Leone’s stopper Mohammad Kendey was successful in begging 2 points.
