Indian women's kabaddi team in final

Incheon: Defending champion India stayed on course for their second consecutive Asian Games gold medal in women's kabaddi as they marched into the final, beating Thailand 41-28 in the semi-final at the Songdo Global University Gymnasium here Thursday.

In Friday's title clash, India will be facing Iran, who thrashed Bangladesh 40-15 in the other semi-final.

The women's team with the starting line-up of Kavitha Selvaraj, Kavita Devi, V. Tejeswini Bai, Abhilasha Mhatre, Priyanka, Mamatha Poojari and Kishori Shinde, rode on its brilliant second half scoring 27 points.

Thailand, silver medallist in 2010 Asia Games, put on a spirited show against the defending champions, who started the game on a cautious note. In the first half, India ousted 12 Thais and collected two bonus point to score 14 points while their opponent also bagged 14 points by ousting seven Indian athletes and collected seven bonus points.

But India upped the ante in the second half and displayed an attacking game to completely dominate the Thai girls. India collected 19 points by touching or bundling out the rival players during raids or defending. With four lona points, the Indian team showed that it is the most formidable side and ready to defend its title.

Later in the day, Indian men's team will play South Korea for a place in the final.

Women's kabaddi was introduced in the Asian Games in 2010 and the men's team have swept all the gold medals ever since the sport was introduced in Asiad in 1990.