ISTAF World Cup: India smash their way into semi-finals
In their match against Iran, the hosts clinched victory in straight sets 21-16, 21-19 (2-0).
Hyderabad: The Indian men’s contingent delivered some emphatic performances on the court as they defeated Iran and later China to book a spot in the semifinals on Friday at the ongoing ISTAF World Cup Sepak Takraw Championship being played at the GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
In their match against Iran, the hosts clinched victory in straight sets 21-16, 21-19 (2-0). Later, against China too, the Indian lads continued their dominant performance to clinch a thrilling 21-17, 21-14 (2-0) victory to enter last four stage. Meanwhile, the Indian women’s journey ended in quarterfinals after they went down fighting against Iran 15-21, 21-23 in a match that lasted for 50 minutes.
The results
Men’s: India bt China 21-17, 21-14 (2-0); Brazil bt Nepal 22-20, 21-12 (2-0). Earlier matches: India bt Iran 21-16, 21-19 (2-0); Singapore bt Brazil 21-3, 21-8 (2-0); China bt Brazil 21-14, 23-21 (2-0); France bt Germany 21-19, 21-19 (2-0); Iran bt France 21-17, 21-7 (2-0); Singapore got walkover from Pakistan; Malaysia bt Japan 21-11, 21-13 (2-0); India bt France 21-6, 21-10; Thailand bt Nepal 21-4, 21-6; Malaysia bt Bangladesh 21-10, 21-15; Brazil got walkover from Pakistan; Japan bt Nepal 21-15, 21-12; Iran bt Germany 21-14, 21-4; Myanmar bt Bangladesh 21-3, 21-8; India bt Germany 21-10, 21-7 (2-0); Singapore bt China 22-20, 21-5 (2-0); Thailand bt Japan 21-7, 21-10 (2-0); Malaysia bt Myanmar 21-9, 21-14 (2-0); China got walkover from Pakistan.
Women’s: India lost to Iran 15-21, 21-23 (2-0); Thailand bt Nepal 21-2, 21-6 (2-0); Vietnam bt China 21-16, 21-14 (2-0); Malaysia bt Japan 21-13, 21-14 (2-0); Bangladesh got walkover from Indonesia; Sri Lanka got walkover from Pakistan. Earlier matches: India lost to China 18-21, 18-21 (0-2); Japan bt Bangladesh 21-15, 21-7 (2-0); Thailand bt China 21-6, 21-5; Vietnam bt Nepal 21-9, 21-9 (2-0); India bt Japan 21-16, 22-20 (2-0); Malaysia bt Iran 21-18, 21-16 (2-0); India bt Bangladesh 21-8, 21-8; Thailand got walkover from Pakistan; Vietnam got walkover from Indonesia; Malaysia bt Sri Lanka 21-6, 21-7; China got walkover from Pakistan; Nepal got walkover from Indonesia; Iran bt Sri Lanka 21-5, 21-0.