Hosts India stormed into the semifinals of the ongoing kabaddi World Cup with an easy 51-24 victory over Canada at Doda, Punjab on Thursday.
By virtue of this win, India also became the first team in the tournament to have registered victories in all five matches played so far.
England and Germany also trounced Australia and Afghanistan respectively in their league matches.
The match played between India and Canada was the centre of attraction for the spectators since the two teams were heavyweights of the game.
Though the Canadian players tried their level best but the Indians remained dominant throughout the match as the home team went into the breather with a 26-13 lead.
Indian raiders Sandeep Dirba and Gagandeep Singh Gaggi scored nine points each, while vice-captain Hardavinderjit Singh Dulla scored five points.
Indian stopper Narinder Ram scored six points. Canadian raider Kulwinder Singh Kinda also scored six points.
Earlier, England overpowered Australia rival 45-32 in a league match.
England captain and raider Manga Mithapuria as usual played well and secured eight points for his team, while Kulwinder Kinda also scored as many points.
The match between Germany and Afghanistan, however, was a one-sided affair as the Afghans could not grip German raider Ranjit Singh Bath even a single time as he went on to score 21 points.
{{/usCountry}}The match between Germany and Afghanistan, however, was a one-sided affair as the Afghans could not grip German raider Ranjit Singh Bath even a single time as he went on to score 21 points.
{{/usCountry}}Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal paid a special visit to Doda and watched all the three matches.