KARACHI:
Pakistan crashed out of the Kabaddi World Cup, losing their semi-final clash against Canada 43-39 and now face Italy in the third-place play-off today.
India and Canada, meanwhile, will meet in the title clash after the hosts had defeated Italy 75-15 in the first semi-final.
In a close encounter, Pakistan put up a fighting performance, leading 29-28 at the end of the first session. However, Canada upped the tempo in the second session to take the lead and sealed the victory despite playing with only eight players instead of 10.
World Cup Organising Secretary Sikandar Singh Maloka admitted that the result was a disappointing one for Indian fans, who had been rooting for an Indo-Pak final.
“It’s been a shocking result for everyone,” Maloka told The Express Tribune. “The Indian fans were rooting for Pakistan. Everyone wanted to have an India-Pakistan final and we’re disappointed at the result. We really thought that we could have the repeat of the 2009 World Cup final.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Secretary Muhammad Sarwar said that the organisers had given undue advantage to Canada as three of their players’ dope test reports had been withheld.
“It’s frustrating to see Pakistan crash out in the semi-final and that too against Canada,” said Sarwar. “We’ve been playing fair, while other teams have players who have been using performance enhancing drugs. I don’t understand why the organisers didn’t ban Canada, just like they banned the US after their players’ dope tests had come positive. Canada had three of players testing positive for doping. It’s just not fair.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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@dictator: Wake up, if your observation is true then Pakistani players took bribes from India and lost the match. However, its true that Indians were looking forward for a Indo-Pak clash but all charm has been lost now, which is indeed tragic.
@Tamil Arasan: hahaha... r u serious? dictator was sarcastic man... get a live before bullying pakistan for everything...
All of Canada is proud....well, at least the 25 or so Canadians who actually play and follow Kabbadi. Go Canada Go!
its all due to Mosad Raw and CIA
@dictator: "Match was a fixed one..How can canada defeat Pakistan in a kabaddi match.." - your this type of attitude Leeds to your down fall, if you loose a match you say it's fixed and same thing others can say when they loose match against you...Do Pakistanis have horns on their head that you think you can't be defeated?, Canada team must have been well prepared for the match so they have won so give credit to the winner...
what a shame....
Hahahaha, the picture with the article is of the wrestling match played in Gujranwala yesterday and not of Kabaddi ... Hahahaha nice going :p
Apart from this, Pakistan played brilliantly.
Bring the Pehelwans from Gujranwala. They are best kabbadi players in the world
When we loose, we need to accept it with some grace and dignity. Sometimes other do outdo us.
Match was a fixed one..How can canada defeat Pakistan in a kabaddi match..It's all because of indian consent and indian money that helps canadia to Won the Semifinal match ...