Group Stage Ends, India-Iran March Towards Semifinals: Bangladesh's Narrow Exit

The image that sticks with me from the final day of the group stage is Bangladesh's semifinal exit—a razor-thin margin on the points table that might look ordinary to many, but those who watched closely know Bangladesh's campaign was full of inconsistency. Two wins in four matches, yet elimination from the semifinals—this is not mere luck. The score difference calculation turned into a harsh reality for Bangladesh. The group stage of the kabaddi event at the Asian Games 2026 has concluded. The four semifinalists are now decided—India and Chinese Taipei from Group A, Iran and Thailand from Group B. All four teams have secured at least a medal. The gold medal match will be held on September 26. The fourth day's matches were fascinating. In the first match, Iran ended Thailand's unbeaten run with a massive 83-27 victory. Later, hosts Japan defeated South Korea 62-35 to finish their campaign with a win. In the third match, India beat Chinese Taipei 37-21, but Chinese Taipei managed to keep the margin close enough to qualify for the semifinals. In the evening session, Nepal secured their first win against Malaysia 73-52, while Iran defeated Pakistan 51-30, ending their medal hopes. India top Group A with four wins in four matches. Their gameplay has been dominant, making them one of the favorites for gold. Chinese Taipei are second—they have secured a second consecutive Asian Games kabaddi medal. They have two wins in four matches. Bangladesh are third with two wins but eliminated on score difference. Japan are fourth with two wins—the hosts have played excellent kabaddi and could emerge as a top nation in the coming years. South Korea are at the bottom with no wins. Iran top Group B, also with four wins in four matches. Thailand are second—their first-ever Asian Games kabaddi medal, with three wins. Pakistan are third and eliminated—the first time they will return home without a kabaddi medal at the Asian Games. Nepal are fourth with one win, secured on the final day. Malaysia are at the bottom with no wins. Back to Bangladesh. In Group A, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, and Japan all had two wins. But qualifying for the semifinals requires more than just winning—score difference matters. There, Chinese Taipei moved ahead while Bangladesh fell behind. This matters to me because in kabaddi, how you win is as important as winning itself. Bangladesh's defensive weaknesses and inconsistent raiding were visible throughout. Bangladesh's group stage started well. They beat Japan in the first match—a confidence booster. They lost to India in the second, which was perhaps expected. They beat South Korea in the third to stay in the semifinal race. But the results of other matches on the final day sealed their fate. This is kabaddi's cruel reality—sometimes you win your own match but another result decides your destiny. Based on my years of watching matches, Bangladesh has no shortage of talent, but tactical planning and match management often fall short. This tournament was no exception. India and Iran, meanwhile, are not just winning—they are winning by big margins, which gives them a mental and tactical edge before the semifinals. Iran look like the most dangerous team so far. Against Thailand 83-27, against Pakistan 51-30. Their scoring rate across four matches is staggering. Iranian raiders have dismantled opposition defenses, while their defense has held teams under 30 points on multiple occasions. India have won all four matches, but their style differs from Iran—they build steadily, pressure opponents, and increase the lead gradually. The 37-21 margin against Chinese Taipei was not huge, but India controlled the match completely. This patient approach could prove effective in the knockout stage. Looking at the semifinals, Group A champions India will face Group B runners-up Thailand. Group B champions Iran will meet Group A runners-up Chinese Taipei. My analysis: Thailand face their biggest test against India. Thailand have secured their first medal, but against a team like India, their lack of experience could be exposed. The Iran-Chinese Taipei clash could be far more competitive—Chinese Taipei have secured a second consecutive medal and know how to prepare for big matches. Pakistan's story cannot be ignored. They have always been a strong kabaddi nation at the Asian Games, but this time they exited in the group stage—a major shock. The 51-30 loss to Iran reflects their current state, with inconsistencies in both defense and raiding. Japan, however, offer hope. As hosts, they won two of four matches, with the 62-35 victory over South Korea their best performance. Japan could become a strong contender at future Asian Games—this tournament's performance signals exactly that. Finally, the big question before the September 26 gold medal match: will India and Iran meet in the final? Based on group-stage form, both deserve to be there. But kabaddi is never short of surprises. Thailand or Chinese Taipei could spring an upset—that possibility cannot be dismissed. In my view, the biggest stories of this tournament are Thailand's rise and Pakistan's fall. Both show that old reputations no longer matter in kabaddi—current form, tactics, and team cohesion are what count. For Bangladesh, the lesson is clear: winning alone is not enough; you must also mind the score difference. If that lesson is learned, Bangladesh will do better next time.