Highlights, Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018 semi-final, India vs South Korea: Ajay Thakur and Co storm into Final

IND 33-19 KOR

India controlling it now. It should be theirs barring a massive disaster. Korea have given it their all. A few defensive lapses has cost them but apart from that they can hold their heads high

Referees not having the best of games. Twice players have admitted to be out but umpire have ruled otherwise.

IND 28-17 KOR

Korea not giving up on this. India down to just three men. The gap now 11 points. Crucially for India, Ajay Thakur is still on the court. Can Korea get that all out and make a contest out of this again?

IND 26-11 KOR

Rishank comes to the party. Two point raid. Korea losing their defensive discipline. Too many advanced tackles costing them.

IND 24-11 KOR

ALL OUT! Superb dash from Surjeet as India take control. 24-11 the lead now. Still 16 minutes to play but Korea need to get the zest back in their play if they are to close the gap

IND 19-10 KOR

Girish Ernak. What a beast! He single-handedly pulls Jang Kun Lee back from an advanced position to win an unlikely point. Big one for India as Jang Kun Lee is back in the hut

HT: India 17-10 South Korea

Good game. India forcing their way into the lead after South Korea began well. Ajay Thakur has been excellent and the decision to bring on Monu Goyat in place of Pardeep Narwal has worked. Korean shoulders haven’t dropped down and till the point a certain Jang Kun Lee is on court, this game is very much alive

IND 13-8 KOR

ALL OUT! India have come back well. From 7-3 down to 13-8 up is a fine turnaround, but Korea still in it. Jang Kun Lee has been dangerous

IND 8-8 KOR

India draw level. Kim tries an advanced tackle on Thakur and pays the price

Ajay Thakur is revived but a stange change from Srinivas Reddy. Monu Goyat comes on for Deepak Hooda. A raider for a person playing at cover

IND 3-7 KOR

Big blow! Super raid from Jang Kun Lee. Ajay Thakur goes out, so does Mohit Chhillar. Korea’s lead now 7-3. India in a spot of bother

IND 3-4 KOR

Good start from Korea. They haven’t allowed India to get off to a flying start. Rishank was tackled earlier and later Pardeep Narwal was sent to the stands. Jang Kun Lee has started well

For India Ajay Thakur seems to be on form. Maybe he is to be India’s hero once again

4’ IND 2-2 KOR

Pakistan fans chanting ‘Korea Korea’ so not everyone cheering for India here. A slow start to the game but both teams are plying with extra caution

Srinivas Reddy goes with Pardeep Narwal over Rohit Kumar to add a left raider to the team. Girish Ernak gets the nod over Surender Nada. Deepak Hooda, Rishank Devadiga, Ajay Thakur and Surjeet all retained

Srinivas Reddy goes with Pardeep Narwal over Rohit Kumar to add a left raider to the team. Girish Ernak gets the nod over Surender Nada. Deepak Hooda, Rishank Devadiga, Ajay Thakur and Surjeet all retained

It is now time for the 2nd semi-final of the day where India take on South Korea. Ajay Thakur and Co are billed as the favourites and considering their form in the tournament, the tag seems apt for the World Champions

FULL-TIME

IRN 40-21 PAK

The Iranians were the favourites to reach the final and they did it without breaking a sweat. Iran maintained the stranglehold over Pakistan after the initial onslaught. Despite Pakistan’s better efforts in the 2nd half, it was a case of too little too late as Iran cruised into the final of the Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018

IRN 35-17 PAK

SUPER RAID! Captain Maleki with two touch points and a bonus. That should be curtains for Pakistan who look very deflated. Iran have made this very easy with their intensity.

IRN 26-17 PAK

Iran are taking the fight back to Pakistan who give away few very cheap points. Iran stretch their lead to 8 points. Pakistan need to show more maturity.

IRN 21-15 PAK

ALL OUT! Pakistan are back in it. Iran are all out. Muhammad Nadeem has been excellent for Pakistan throughout this tournament and he is leading the fightback again.

IRN 19-9 PAK

Iran showing their mettle. Pakistan have forced them into a corner reducing them to just two men, but Iran have resisted the pressure and prevented the all-out so far. At HT Iran have a healthy lead but Pakistan are very much in the contest

16’ IRN 16-8 PAK

Big support for Pakistan in the upper stand that is making all the noise. As things stand, Pakistan need it 

IRN 14-4 PAK

Iran have rattled Pakistan early on. They looked really strong in the group phase and they have been on top tonight. Pakistan clearly missing the experience of their skipper Nasir Ali

IRN 13-3 PAK

Should Pakistan take a time-out and try to disrupt Iran’s momentum? Otherwise, Iran are threatening to open up a massive lead

IRN 3-0 PAK

What a Start!

Iran begins the scoring with a Super Raid

It is time for the first semi-final between Iran and Pakistan. It is expected to be a tight match.

Earlier today, Firstpost  correspondent Kaushal Shukla spoke to Indian all-rounder Deepak Niwas Hooda. Here’s what the Kabaddi star had to say to all his fans

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the Kabaddi Masters Dubai semi-finals between Iran and Pakistan, and India vs South Korea