Kabaddi World Cup: Pakistan eye revenge in today’s semi-final

Asian champions to face Canada for a place in the final.

KARACHI: Asian champions Pakistan will be looking to avenge last year’s World Cup semi-final defeat against Canada as the two meet again for a place in the 3rd Kabaddi World Cup final.

Canada defeated Pakistan 44-29 in the last semi-final and the team had to settle for a third-place finish after thrashing Italy 60-22 in the play-off. Pakistan skipper Musharraf Javed said that the team has focused on not repeating the same mistakes they committed last year with hopes of going one better this time.

“We’re all charged up to take revenge,” Javed told The Express Tribune. “Our aim is to make sure that we don’t repeat the mistakes we made last year. We also won the Asia Cup beating India in the final and this shows we are stronger this year.”

The captain added that the Indian crowd has been very supportive of Pakistan throughout the event and remained confident that it will be same case against Canada. Pakistan had an easy route to the knockouts, beating Scotland 61-21, Italy 66-20 and Sierra Leone 55-12.  However, coach Tahir Waheed believes that the real test for his players begins now.

“The tournament starts for us now and it’s important for our players to rise to the challenge and show that they really want to win the title,” said Waheed before adding that the return of key raider Lala Obaidullah has lifted the mood in the camp and that there were no other injury concerns ahead of the key clash.

Meanwhile, Obaidullah himself vowed to give his best despite suffering from a fever for nearly a week.

“I was down for a couple of days but now I’ve fully recovered to give my best for Pakistan,” said Obaidullah. “It’s been a good time for Pakistan sports with our athletes doing well in snooker and hockey. Now it’s our turn to win the title and give more happiness to our nation. With their prayers, nobody will be able to stop us.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2012.