2016 Kabaddi World Cup: Republic of Korea beat Argentina

It was a tale of two halves as Republic of Korea showed their experience to beat Argentina 68-42. The first half was all Republic of Korea but Argentina showed tremendous character and fight back on their debut to give Republic of Korea a run for their money – at least in the second half.  Republic of Korea go top of group A with their second consecutive win in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup.

Republic of Korea made a storming start and led 6-0 in three minutes and reduced Argentina to just one man. Republic of Korea duly inflicted an all out in the third minute to take a 9-0 lead. Argentina were struggling to come to grips. Argentina scored their first point in fourth minute as Eugonio Pepperman scored a bonus point as the South Americans trailed 1-11. Republic of Korea were in imperious mood and scored at will with a lead of 15-2 after seven minutes. Argentina suffered the second all out in the eighth minute and led 20-3 after nine minutes.

It was far too easy for Republic of Korea as they forced a super raid in the 10^th minute to lead 23-3. Tae Boem Kim scored three points with a super raid in the 14^th minute as Republic of Korea led 31-6. Franco Castro was the lone ranger for Argentina as he scored five points in the first half. Republic of Korea showed their experience and toyed with Argentina to lead 43-11 at the end of the first half.  Jang Kun Lee scored four raid points for Republic of Korea in the first half whereas Tae Boem Kim led the scoring charts with seven points. Argentina defence struggled contain the Republic of Korea raiders and failed to score a single tackle point in the first half.

Eugonio Pepperman scored two raid points in the 24^th minute as Argentina trailed 15-46. The Argentines showed their inexperience and gifted points to Republic of Korea throughout the match. After 25 minutes, Republic of Korea led 49-19. Republic of Korea forced a super tackle in the 27^th minute to lead 51-21.

The second half saw Argentina show a lot more fight in the second half as they inflicted an all out in 28^th minute to trail 28-51. For the first 10 minutes of the second half, Argentina were the dominant team as they outscored Republic of Korea 19-8. Franco Castro scored his eighth point in 30^th minute as Argentina trailed 31-51.

It was an insurmountable lead but Argentina showed immense character and outplayed Republic of Korea in the second half. Republic of Korea did field a lot of their substitutes in the second half but credit to Argentina, as they were the better team in the second half.

Republic of Korea forced a super tackle in 32^nd minute to lead 53-32. Argentina inflicted the second all out in the 33^rd minute to trail 37-53. Franco Castro attained a super 10 for Argentina in the 34^th minute but it wasn’t enough. Republic of Korea inflicted an all out in the 37^th minute to lead 63-39. Nahuel Villamayor scored eight raid points for Argentina and the South Americans would take a lot of heart from their second half performance.

Republic of Korea got a chance to test their bench strength and the bench didn’t disappoint. Two defenders achieved a high five whereas Cheol Gyu Shin scored eight raid points after coming on as a substitute.  Republic of Korea won 68-42 but Argentina won a lot of hearts with their second half performance.