Iran produced a strong performance in their opening match of 2016 Kabaddi World Cup as they thumped USA 52-15. USA are making their debut in Kabaddi World Cup and their inexperience was evident as they barely troubled Iran throughout the match. Iran showed why they are an emerging powerhouse in Kabaddi with an impeccable all-round display. Meraj Sheykh and Fazel Atrachali scored five points each for Iran whereas Troy Bacon scored eight points for the USA.
Iran began strongly and led 3-0 after two minutes as USA struggled to get into the game. Iran’s defence marshaled by Fazel Atrachali didn’t allow US raiders to score a single point in the first five minutes as Iran led 6-0. An all out was inflicted by Iran in the sixth minute as they 10-0. USA opened their account in the eight minute as Charles scored two points. Iran continued to pile on the points as they led 15-2 after 10 minutes. It was men against boys, as Iran scored points at will and restricted the USA raiders to lead 18-2 after 11 minutes. Iran inflicted the second all out in the 12th minute as they led 22-2.
USA defence scored their first point in the 14th minute as they trailed 4-23. Troy Bacon scored two raid points in the 16th minute with US trailing 6-25. USA scored two more points in the last minute as they trailed 8-27. Iran dominated the proceedings in the first half with Abolfazl Maghsoudlou and Fazel Atrachali scoring four points each.
The second half was a similar story as Iran continued to score points at ease and led 30-8 after 24 minutes. Iran scored with a super raid and then inflicted an all out in two minutes to lead 37-10 after 27 minutes. Troy Bacon responded for the USA with a super raid of his own as they trailed 13-37 after 28 minutes. Iran scored five points in a row in four minutes to lead 42-13 after 31 minutes. Troy Bacon was the lone ranger for USA as he scored more than half of his team’s points.
With less than five minutes left on the clock, Iran inflicted another all out to lead 49-15. USA did redeem themselves in the second half after a hapless first 10 minutes in the match. Iran ultimately were far too good for USA as they recorded a comprehensive 52-15 win.