The Bangladesh women’s kabaddi team ensured at least the bronze medal of the event by reaching the semifinals of the 17th Asian Games with a 30-18 win against hosts South Korea in Incheon yesterday. While the women confirmed at least a bronze medal, the men’s side crashed out of the meet after conceding a second consecutive defeat, a 24-11 loss to Pakistan.
The Bangladesh women’s team dominated the scene from the beginning and led the first half by 14-11 points. South Korea showed their supermacy by taking 11 bonus points while Bangladesh concentrated on raiding and lonas.
In the second half Bangladesh regrouped as Fatema Akhtar Polly, Sharmeen Shaheen Ara and Baby raided the opposition arena. The second half saw Bangladesh score 16 points while the Koreans could manage only seven points. Sharmeen looked impressive in the Bangladesh defence. However, the Koreans, who trained for six months in India prior to the start of the Asiad, display remarkable improvement.
Bangladesh will face the winner of the encounter between Iran and Thailand in the second semifinal tomorrow. As per the rules both the losing semifinalists will receive the bronze medal. Bangladesh lost to India 29-18 in the first match. It is mentionable that the Bangladesh women’s team also won the bronze medal in the last edition of the Asian Games four years ago in Guangzhou, China. The Bangladesh men’s team, who lost to India in the first match, failed to rise to the occasion as Pakistan led the first half by 13-4 points.
In the second half Bangladesh tried to break the shackles but could not get out of the grip of their opponents. Bangladesh face Thailand in the last group match tomorrow.
