Japan, Korea set up title clash at Asian Women's Handball Championship

Asian powerhouses Japan and Korea set up title clash in the final of the Asian Women’s Handball Championship when they brushed aside their opponents Kazakhstan and Iran respectively in the semi-finals played at the KD Jadhav Wrestling Hall in Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi on Sunday.

In the first semi-final, Korea proved their dominance as they went past Iran 33-20. The speed with which the 16-time champions attacked the Iranian goal could never be matched from the other side. To be fair to Iran they tried hard but the speed of the counter-attack was too much.

At half-time, Korea had taken a sizeable lead of eight points. They led 16-8. Iran picked the game in the second half and added 12 points. However, Korea also scored 17 and emerged winners.

Aru Seo scored 8/8 while Yeongyeong Lee got 4/4. In all, Korea netted 33 of the 50 shots while Iran managed 20 of their 32 shots.

The Japan-Kazakhstan game witnessed a much closer contest in the first half. By the end of the first 30 minutes, Japan led by a solitary point, 15-14.

However,  the Japanese picked pace in the second half and went on the attack. Their quick counter-attacks caught the Kazakhs by surprise. The Kazakhs tried their best to attack but the watertight defence of the Japanese kept them at bay. The passage of play immediately after the start of the second half saw the Japanese earn eight points to Kazakhstan’s one. That sealed the game 30-23 in Japan's favour.

Maki Yamaguchi netted 3/3 while Natsuki Aizawa and Yuko Akutsu got 4/6. Japan got in 30 out of 45 shots.

For Kazakhstan, Ir Khassakhanova got 7/13 while Veronik Khardina got 6/11. Kazakhs netted 23 out of 40 shots.

The final will be played on December 10.

Tags : Asian Handball Championship, Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran, New Delhi, Indira Gandhi Arena