The Indian men’s water polo team’s struggles continued as they slumped to their third consecutive defeat in the group stages of the Asian Aquatics Championships, going down 21-6 to World No. 31 Kazakhstan here on Monday.

The result leaves the unranked hosts on the brink of elimination, with no points from three matches and a goal difference of -34. India now need a miracle to qualify for the quarterfinals, which would have guaranteed a berth in the Asian Games. Thailand, who sit fourth in the five-team Group B, have three points and a far better goal difference of -12. India will now face powerhouse Japan in their final group game on Tuesday.

Kazakhstan, on the other hand, were dominant right from the start, taking charge early in the match. Igor Nedokontsev and Adil Baltabekuly led the

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