by Abhishek Shukla

Shamil Gasanov Overwhelms Oh Ho Taek To Win By Unanimous Decision In ONE Fight Night 18 Main Event

January 13, 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand: ONE Championship™ (ONE) put together a captivating evening of martial arts action in U.S. primetime with ONE Fight Night 18: Gasanov vs. Oh.

In the main event, #4-ranked featherweight MMA contender Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov leaned on his impeccable grappling to prevail over “Spider” Oh Ho Taek.

The Russian powerhouse authored a commanding performance, leveraging his superior ground game to consistently outmaneuver Oh from bell to bell.

In the second round, “The Cobra” came close to sealing the deal with a tight rear-naked choke. However, his South Korean opponent showed uncanny resilience and valiantly fought back, pushing the bout into the third stanza.

Gasanov picked up where he left off in the final five minutes of the match, dominating Oh with grappling excellence to win by unanimous decision.

In the co-main event, Suablack Tor Pran49 pushed himself to the limit to defeat Stefan Korodi in a fiercely contested bantamweight Muay Thai fight.

Despite a strong start, Suablack faced adversity in the second round when Korodi connected with a powerful right hand to send the Thai to the canvas. Suablack regained his composure after beating the 10-count, and then he responded with a barrage of devastating strikes, turning the tables on Korodi by dropping the Irishman twice in that same round.

In the third and final frame, both men stood toe-to-toe and unloaded their heaviest attacks. However, Suablack’s effective combination striking down the stretch ultimately secured him a unanimous decision victory on the scorecards.

See complete results below. For all remaining bout reports, please visit www.onefc.com.

For ONE Fight Night 18, ONE Championship has been proud to partner with Stage Front VIP (global VIP experience partner), Monster Energy (exclusive energy drink partner), TUMI (official premium luggage partner), and Fairtex (official glove partner), featuring branding in-stadium and inside the Circle, custom branded content across broadcast and digital, and more.

Performance bonus winners: Kwon Won Il (US$50,000), Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong (US$50,000)

ONE Fight Night 18 Complete Results

Shamil Gasanov defeats Oh Ho Taek via unanimous decision (MMA – featherweight)

Suablack Tor Pran49 defeats Stefan Korodi via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – bantamweight)

Kwon Won Il defeats Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg via TKO (ground-and-pound) at 2:40 of round two (MMA – bantamweight)

Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong defeats Shakir Al-Tekreeti via TKO (3 knockdowns in 2nd round) at 1:44 of round two (Muay Thai – lightweight)

Artem Belakh defeats Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu via TKO (referee stoppage, flying knee-punch combo) at 4:55 of round two (MMA – bantamweight)

Liam Nolan defeats Ali Aliev via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – lightweight)

Kang Ji Won defeats Mikhail Jamal Abdul-Latif via TKO (ground-and-pound) at 4:09 of round two (MMA – heavyweight)

Beybulat Isaev defeats Yuri Farcas via unanimous decision (kickboxing – light heavyweight)

Ibragim Dauev defeats Mark Abelardo via unanimous decision (MMA – bantamweight)

by Abhishek Shukla

Stalemate in Doha: China PR and Tajikistan Play Out Goalless Draw

Doha, Jan 14, 2024 – In a fiercely contested match at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, China PR and Tajikistan played to a goalless draw in their AFC Asian Cup encounter. This result marked Tajikistan’s first-ever match in the tournament, ending in a commendable draw against the more experienced Team Dragon.

The match saw both teams creating chances but failing to convert them into goals. The defensive lines of both sides stood firm, thwarting any significant threats. This outcome leaves the group wide open, with Qatar leading following their victory over Lebanon.

Tajikistan, making their debut in the tournament, showed commendable resilience and tactical discipline. Their performance against the established Chinese team will be seen as a positive start to their campaign in Asian football’s premier competition. China PR, on the other hand, might view this as a missed opportunity to secure three points early in the group stage.

The match’s significance goes beyond the scoreline, as it showcased the rising standards of football in Central Asia, with Tajikistan proving to be a tough opponent for the traditionally stronger teams. China PR, while unable to break the deadlock, will take lessons from this game as they plan their strategy for the upcoming fixtures.

As the tournament progresses, both teams will look to build on this performance. For Tajikistan, every match in this tournament is a learning experience, while China PR will aim to refine their approach to secure a spot in the knockout stages. The draw sets an intriguing tone for the rest of the group stage matches, promising more exciting football in the days to come.

by Abhishek Shukla

Bengal Warriors inflict fifth successive loss on U.P. Yoddhas in PKL Season 10  

13th January, Jaipur:  The Bengal Warriors subjected the U.P. Yoddhas to their fifth defeat in a row, beating them 42-37 at the SMS Indoor Stadium on Saturday. Despite Pardeep Narwal’s 16 points, the U.P. Yoddhas were outdone by the all-round teamwork of the Bengal Warriors. Maninder Singh (14 points) and Nitin Kumar (10 points) were the best performers for their team on a winning night.

The contest was billed as a raider’s paradise and did not disappoint early on, with Maninder Singh in particular keen to stamp his authority on the game. The Bengal Warriors’ raider grabbed 9 points in the first half alone, and was not tackled once. And yet he wasn’t the only one making hay. At the other end, his counterpart Pardeep Narwal took 7 points in the half, to keep his side in the game.  

The difference really was the fact that the Warriors had other raiders chipping in with points, and a defence that logged 4 points to the U.P. Yoddhas one. It helped the Bengal Warriors inflict the first ALL OUT of the game and they went into the break holding a comfortable lead.

The U.P. Yoddhas kicked off the second half at a furious pace and within three minutes had inflicted an ALL OUT of their own to reduce the deficit to 20-24. The Warriors were in no mood to capitulate though, and slowly picked up the pieces to rebuild their lead.

Narwal was working overtime to reduce the deficit almost on his own, with the rest of the team failing to back up his performance. His relentless raiding though helped the U.P. Yoddhas inflict a second ALL OUT, reducing the deficit to three points with under 2 minutes to play. In the end though, the Warriors held their nerve and smartly played down the clock to take a well deserved victory.

below the PKL Season 10 match on 14th January

Game 1 – Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas – 8 pm

Game 2 – Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Patna Pirates – 9 pm

Venue: Jaipur

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ Hotstar.  

by Abhishek Shukla

Semi-finals decided at World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger in Dubai

Fans at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai witnessed a great advert for the continuing global growth of rugby sevens as teams from four different continents qualified for the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger semi-finals following a sequence of hotly contested quarter-finals.

Argentina are the only unbeaten team in the women’s competition as they backed up pool victories over Poland, Hong Kong China and Paraguay with a hard fought 22-12 win over a very competitive Thailand team. China proved too strong for Poland in the second women’s semi-final, running out convincing winners by a 31-10 scoreline.

Belgium had recorded a perfect record of three wins to top their pool but were beaten 17-12 by Uganda in an enthralling quarter-final. There was further African joy as the large Kenyan contingent in the crowd celebrated a 22-12 victory over Czechia to secure their place in the semi-finals. China will face Uganda and Argentina play Kenya in the women’s semi-finals.

The men’s competition was equally intense and the quarter-finals began with a blockbuster between Kenya and Japan, two teams who will showcase their skills at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 having qualified via their regional competitions. Kenya reached the Olympics by beating the mighty South African Blitzboks and showed their quality once again to overcome a valiant Japan 21-19 to reach the semi-finals.

Uruguay – another team set to star at the Olympic Games in Paris – will face Kenya in the semi-finals after they overcame last year’s Challenger champions Tonga by a 21-14 scoreline.

The third quarter-final saw Germany in impressive form to beat Hong Kong China 19-7. Germany are the only unbeaten team in the men’s tournament following pool phase wins over Kenya, Uganda and Mexico, and they will face Chile in the semi-finals after the South American’s saw off six-man Georgia 26-7 in the last quarter-final to bring down the curtain on a thrilling day of rugby sevens in the Dubai desert.

The action gets under way at 11:15 local time (GMT+4) on Sunday with the semi-finals kicking off at 12:53. The women’s and men’s finals will take palce at 16:59 and 17:33 respectively.

There is more to play for than ever before in this year’s Challenger with the competition expanded to three rounds and the top four placed men’s and women’s teams qualifying for the new promotion and relegation play-off competition at the HSBC SVNS 2024 Grand Final in Madrid.

The Challenger tournaments replicate the Olympic Games competition format, with the 12 teams drawn into three pools of four teams each. The top two from each pool as well as the two best third-placed finishers will qualify for the knockout stages with quarter-finals and

The Challenger was introduced in February 2020 to boost the development of rugby sevens across the globe and provide a clear promotion pathway to reach the top level of global rugby sevens for the short format of the game which has experienced huge growth over the past two decades since the introduction of the global sevens series and becoming an Olympic sport at the Rio 2016 Games.

The bigger and better than ever 2024 edition of the Challenger kicks off with combined events at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai on 12-14 January, followed by Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo, Uruguay on 8-10 March before standalone women’s and men’s events at Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium in Krakow, Poland and Dantestadion in Munich, Germany respectively on 18-19 May.

by Abhishek Shukla

World Champions Lochner/Fleischhauer win 2-man bob World Cup in St. Moritz

St. Moritz (RWH) The 2-man bobsleigh World Champions Johannes Lochner/Georg  Fleischhauer (GER) are the winners of the fourth BMW IBSF World Cup in winter  2023/2024. At the Olympia Bobrun St. Moritz-Celerina, Lochner/Fleischhauer relegated  their German team-mates with Olympic Champion Francesco Friedrich and push athlete  Alexander Schüller (GER, 0.25 seconds behind) to second place. Lochner thus celebrated  his third win of the season in the race series.  Third place in St. Moritz was contested between the Swiss local heroes Michael  Vogt/Sandro Michel and Simon Friedli/Andreas Haas. With the better run time in the second  heat, the Vogt/Michel duo ultimately came out on top and secured the remaining podium  place in third ahead of Friedli/Haas in fourth place. Cédric Follador/Gregory Jones  completed the good result for the Swiss World Cup hosts in seventh place.  In the overall standings for the BMW IBSF World Cup 2023/2024, Johannes Lochner (GER,  885 points) extended his lead at the halfway stage of the World Cup. Francesco Friedrich  (GER, 830) is second overall after four of eight races, ahead of 2023 World Championships  bronze medallist Michael Vogt (SUI, 809), who finished on the podium in three of the four  2-man bobsleigh races. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Arjun Deshwal’s 16-point performance helps Jaipur Pink Panthers stage comeback win over Puneri Paltan

13th January, Jaipur: The Jaipur Pink Panthers ended the Puneri Paltan’s eight-match winning streak after defeating them 36-34 in Jaipur on Saturday. The Puneri Paltan held a huge lead at 20-11 at the end of the first half, but the Panthers fought back and clinched a gripping victory in the end.  Arjun Deshwal was the star for the Panthers with 16 points on the night.

Arjun Deshwal picked up a couple of raid points as the Panthers clinched the lead at 3-2 in the third minute. The Puneri Paltan levelled the scores at 5-5, but Deshwal kept picking up raid points to propel the Panthers to a three-point lead at 9-6 in the 9th minute. However, the Puneri Paltan defence unit stood tall and kept its team in the game at 8-10 in the 12th minute.

Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh upped his game as the Pune side levelled the scores once again at 11-11 in the 16th minute. Pankaj Mohite pulled off a magnificent double-point raid in the 18th minute and helped the Puneri Paltan inch ahead at 14-11. Moments later, the Pune side inflicted an ALL OUT to extend their lead further. The Puneri Paltan led comfortably at 20-11 at the end of the first half.

The Panthers tackled Mohit Goyat in the opening minutes of the second half, but Shadloui picked up tackle points from the other end and kept Pune in the lead at 21-13 in the 25th minute. However, Arjun Deshwal pulled off a SUPER RAID as the Panthers reduced the Pune side to just one member in the 29th minute. Moments later, the home side inflicted an ALL OUT and narrowed the gap between the two sides at 22-23. The Panthers rode on the momentum and clinched the lead at 24-23 soon after.

Bhavani Rajput effected a brilliant raid to take out Shadloui as the Panthers attained a decent lead at 28-23 in the 34th minute. Moments later, Deshwal picked up a raid point and reduced the Pune side to just one member on the mat. The Panthers inflicted another ALL OUT soon after and led comfortably at 32-26. However, the Puneri Paltan fought back and reduced the Panthers to just one member on the mat in the dying seconds of the game. But Bhavani Rajput held his nerve on the final raid of the game and took his team to a thrilling victory.

Please see below the PKL Season 10 match on 14th January

Game 1 – Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas – 8 pm

Game 2 – Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Patna Pirates – 9 pm

Venue: Jaipur

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ Hotstar.  

by Abhishek Shukla

Novak Djokovic opens up about his love for India and bond with Virat Kohli

Mumbai, January 13, 2024: In the lead-up to the Australian Open 2024, tennis legend Novak Djokovic has been making headlines with his fitness and determination at the age of 36. With a potential 25th Grand Slam title up for the grabs, Djokovic sat down with Sony Sports Network, the official broadcaster for the tournament in India, to discuss his admiration for India and what drives him towards achieving great things every day. 


 
Regarding his connection with India, the 24-time Grand Slam winner expressed, “I’ve felt that for many years. I visited India only once around 10 or 11 years ago for a two-day exhibition event in New Delhi. It was a brief stay, and I hope to return soon to explore the country’s rich history, culture, and spirituality. I’ve great relationships with eminent personalities like Sachin, Virat and many others. I’ve been in touch with Virat Kohli over texts for a few years, but we have never met in person. It was a privilege to hear him speak kindly about me. I admire his career and achievements.”
 
The 10-time Australian Open winner, Novak, will face Croatian Dino Prižmić in the first round of the Australian Open on Sunday, in the year when Novak is all set to eye a Golden Slam.
In the exclusive interview conducted with Somdev Devvarman – Olympian & Former No. 1 India Tennis Player, Asian Games & Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, and panellist on Extraaa Serve, Novak also discussed his motivation on and off the court. Djokovic said, “I feel blessed to be in this position, living my dream. I have been working all my life to be in this position and to be in this kind of circumstances I find myself right now. As a 4-5-year-old boy in Serbia, I’ve always dreamt of reaching the greatest heights of Tennis, Winning Grand Slams and making history in this beautiful sport that has given me and my family so much. Coming from a country that faced challenges in the ’90s, my family had to gather money and resources for me to able to continue pursuing my dream and to play tennis. This humble upbringing makes me appreciate my achievements and where I am now. I use this platform for good, enjoying myself, growing my brand, and pursuing my passions while sticking to my core values. Whether through early childhood education through the Novak Djokovic Foundation for the past 15 years in Serbia or through the joint efforts with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), where we are trying to improve the livelihood of tennis players.”
 
Sony Sports Network will bring all the LIVE action from the tournament in English and Hindi, while Tamil and Telugu language feeds will be added from the Quarterfinals stage onwards.

by Abhishek Shukla

KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open begins today

Bengaluru, Jan 13: The third edition of the KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open begins today with the qualifying rounds to be played on Sunday and Monday at the KSLTA Stadium. The event boasts of a prize purse of US $40,000 and has attracted the best of women’s tennis talent from around the world.

The qualifying includes 32 players vying for eight spots in the main draw. Meanwhile, promising lass 15-year-old Kasvi Sunil from Mandya has been given a wild card for the qualifiers. The other names include Lakshmi Gowda, Vanshita Pathania Pratibha Narayan Prasad and Paavanii Pathak.

Meanwhile Diana Marcinkevica of Latvia has been given the top billing in the qualifying draw while Anna Siskoca of Czech Republic is seeded second. Rina Saigo of Japan is seeded No.3 while Tina Nadine Smith of Australia and Thasaporn Naklo of Thailand have been seeded fourth and fifth respectively.

by Abhishek Shukla

Australia Defeats India 2-0 in AFC Asian Cup Group B Opener

January 13, 2024

In a gripping AFC Asian Cup Group B encounter, Australia triumphed over India with a score of 2-0 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, showcasing a dominant second-half performance.

First Half: A Battle of Missed Opportunities

The first half was marked by Australia’s dominance in possession and attempts, with over 70% of the ball and 14 shots. However, the Indian defense, spearheaded by Sandesh Jhingan, put up a resilient show, thwarting the Australian advances. Despite the pressure, the most significant chance of the half fell to Indian captain Sunil Chhetri, whose header from Nikhil Poojary’s cross in the 16th minute went wide, missing a golden opportunity to put India ahead.

Second Half: Australia Finds the Breakthrough

The game’s tempo escalated in the second half, with Australia continuing their offensive push. Their efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when Jackson Irvine capitalized on a failed clearance by Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to score the opening goal. The match then saw a brief moment of hope for India when a misjudged backpass almost resulted in an own goal for Australia. However, the Socceroos doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when substitute Jordan Bos scored from his first touch, following a brilliant run and assist from Riley Mcgree.

Historic Match with First Female Referee

The match was historic as Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan became the first woman to referee an AFC Asian Cup match. She was assisted by compatriots Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi, marking a significant moment in the tournament’s history.

Looking Ahead

With this win, Australia has positioned themselves strongly in Group B, while India faces an uphill battle to advance. India’s next fixture is against Uzbekistan on January 18, and Australia will play against Syria on the same day. The match was a display of Australia’s strength and India’s fighting spirit, setting the tone for an exciting AFC Asian Cup tournament.

by Abhishek Shukla

New York Red Bulls Complete Transfer of Swedish Youth International Noah Eile

January 15, 2024

The New York Red Bulls have officially completed the transfer of Swedish youth international Noah Eile from Malmö FF. The 21-year-old defender has signed a four-year Major League Soccer (MLS) contract through 2027, with an option for 2028, as a U-22 Initiative player.

Eile’s Career and Achievements

Eile spent the last two seasons on loan with Mjallby AIF, where he made a significant impact with 52 appearances, one goal, and five assists. During this time, he demonstrated solid defensive skills and a notable tactical understanding of the game. His performance in the Swedish top division, the Allsvenskan, has been particularly noteworthy, having played in 49 matches in the league.

Prior to his time with Malmö FF, Eile began his career with Bjarreds, playing in their youth system. He signed his first professional contract in December 2020 with Malmö FF, where he made four career appearances and was part of the team that won the Allsvenskan in 2021.

Role and Expectations at New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls have expressed excitement about adding Eile to their roster, recognizing his potential as a promising young defender. With his considerable experience in Sweden’s top division, Eile is expected to bring quality and depth to the Red Bulls’ defensive lineup.

Head Coach Sandro Schwarz has highlighted Eile’s talent and skillset, anticipating his contribution on the pitch at Red Bull Arena this season. Eile’s arrival will provide the team with strategic options and greater squad depth, especially in central defense.

Impact on the Team’s Performance

Eile’s signing is part of the Red Bulls’ strategy to build a competitive squad, focusing on young and versatile players. His addition is expected to bolster the Red Bulls’ defense, which was among the best in MLS last year, helping the team reach a 14th-straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

Upcoming Season

The Red Bulls are set to begin their new era on February 25, visiting Nashville SC for their regular-season opener. Fans and the team alike will be eager to see how Eile integrates into the squad and contributes to their performance in the upcoming season.

by Abhishek Shukla

Seattle Sounders FC Sign Forward Braudílio Rodrigues

January 13, 2024

Seattle Sounders FC has announced the signing of forward Braudílio Rodrigues to a contract for the 2024 season, with options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. This move signifies a significant step in Rodrigues’ career as he transitions from the Tacoma Defiance, Seattle’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, to the first team.

Braudílio Rodrigues’ Path to Seattle Sounders

Braudílio Rodrigues, originally from Lisbon, Portugal, has shown promising talent throughout his young career. Before joining Tacoma Defiance in February 2023, he had a prolific collegiate career at Franklin Pierce University. During his time there, Rodrigues recorded 31 goals and 25 assists in 45 career matches over two seasons. His impressive performance in 2022, which included 20 goals and 22 assists, led his team to a 25-0-1 season and a National Championship. Following this, Rodrigues was awarded the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year award and the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year, along with several other honors.

In his first professional season with Tacoma Defiance, Rodrigues set a single-season club record for the team with 15 regular-season goals. He added two more goals in a Western Conference Quarterfinals victory over Houston Dynamo 2 and became only the third player in club history to record a hat trick. Rodrigues appeared in all 30 matches for Tacoma Defiance, starting 28 of them, and contributed four assists.

Seattle Sounders FC’s Expectations

Sounders FC General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel expressed satisfaction with Rodrigues’ signing, noting his ability to score goals at every step in his career. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer also praised Rodrigues’ development and is looking forward to seeing him work once preseason training begins.

The signing of Rodrigues adds depth and offensive prowess to the Sounders’ attacking options. Seattle finished the 2023 regular season second in the Western Conference with 53 points, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals before falling to LAFC. The club is currently preparing for the 2024 season, which kicks off against LAFC on February 24 at BMO Field.

Transaction Details

As part of the deal to bring Rodrigues to the first team, Seattle acquired the College Protected Period Priority for him from New York City FC in exchange for a natural third-round selection in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. NYCFC retains a sell-on percentage and could receive up to $50,000 in General Allocation Money if certain performance-based metrics are met.

Braudílio Rodrigues’ addition to Seattle Sounders FC reflects the club’s commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening its squad as they look forward to another competitive season in MLS.

by Abhishek Shukla

Cricket: Two most recent champions the teams to watch in Group A

The finalists of the 2020 edition of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, India and Bangladesh, will be joined by Ireland and USA in Group A.

India are also the defending champions, having beaten England in an epic see-saw encounter back in 2022 in the West Indies. 

The Group A fixtures begin on January 19 with Ireland playing USA in Bloemfontein. 

Here we take a look at the four teams, their make-up and some of the future stars to look out for.

India

Defending Champions India have been serial winners in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history, winning five titles in the 14 editions.

Going into the 2024 campaign, they will again be one of the strong favourites to go deep in the tournament. In fact, only once – in the inaugural edition in 1988 – has India failed to make it past the group stage in an U19 Men’s CWC.

Uday Saharan will lead the side and hope to put his name in an elite list of Indian captains – Mohammed Kaif, Virat Kohli, Unmukt Chand, Prithvi Shaw and Yash Dhull – to have lifted the U19 World Cup trophy.

Their recent semi-final exit at the ACC U19 Asia Cup will serve as fuel for a determined Indian side to aim for the stars. 

Their undefeated run in the pre-tournament tri-nation series against South Africa and Afghanistan will give them confidence, making them formidable contenders with their eyes set on a historic sixth title in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Squad

Arshin Kulkarni, Adarsh Singh, Rudra Mayur Patel, Sachin Dhas, Priyanshu Moliya, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (c), Avanish Aravelly, Saumy Kumar Pandey, Murugan Abhishek, Innesh Mahajan, Dhanush Gowda, Aaradhya Shukla, Raj Limbani and Naman Tiwari.

Fixtures

20 January: v Bangladesh, Bloemfontein
25 January: v Ireland, Bloemfontein
28 January: v USA, Bloemfontein

Watch out for

Naman Tiwari

Naman Tiwari has enjoyed a great start to his cricket career, starting with a five-for against Bangladesh in a tri-series in November. In four matches, he picked up 12 wickets to finish as the second-highest wicket-taker in the series.

The 18-year-old followed it up with five wickets in three Asia Cup games and has built great momentum with seven wickets in three games in the recent tri-series while familiarising himself with the South African conditions.

Naman offers India a trait that has been a bit of a rarity over the years – left-arm pace. With his stellar performances, he undoubtedly becomes one of the key players to keep a close eye on in the upcoming tournament.

What they said

Uday Saharan, India captain: “Our preparation has been intense, and the team has been working tirelessly to fine-tune every aspect of our game. We understand the challenges that come with representing our country at this level, but the excitement within the squad is palpable. The prospect of competing against the best U19 teams from around the world is both thrilling and motivating.”

Bangladesh

Brimming with confidence following their triumph in the ACC U19 Asia Cup, Bangladesh will be looking to carry forward their momentum into the U19 Men’s CWC 2024.

In keeping with the overall progress of Bangladesh cricket over the past decade, their U19 team has mirrored this success, reaching the quarterfinals twice, making the semi-finals once, and securing the trophy once in the last four editions.

The pinnacle of their success came in the 2020 edition in South Africa, when they secured their maiden U19 World Cup, the first-ever ICC trophy won by Bangladesh, defeating India in a thrilling final.

In the upcoming tournament, the responsibility rests on the shoulders of Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and his teammates to further the U19 team’s commendable journey and build on the positive strides they have made in recent years.

Squad

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (c), Ashiqur Rahman Shibli, Jishan Alam, Chowdhury Md Rizwan, Adil Bin Siddik, Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Boranno, Ariful Islam, Shihab James, Ahrar Amin, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Rohanat Doullah Borson, Iqbal Hasan Emon, Wasi Siddiquee, Maruf Mridha

Fixtures

20 January: v India, Bloemfontein
22 January: v Ireland, Bloemfontein
26 January: v USA, Bloemfontein

Watch out for

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby

Following Bangladesh’s tradition of producing left-hand batsmen and left-arm orthodox all-rounders, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby has emerged as a standout performer with both bat and ball in the past year. In a total of 20 matches, Rabby showcased his skills by scoring 367 runs and claiming an impressive 32 wickets.

Leading Bangladesh to triumph in the U19 Asia Cup, Rabby not only captained effectively but also ended as the second-highest wicket-taker (9 wickets) for the team.

His noteworthy performances have garnered attention, leading to his recent debut in List A cricket during the Bangladesh Cricket League One-Day competition. 

What they said

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, Bangladesh captain: “We will go there to win the World Cup. Bangladesh has done that before and there is no reason why we can’t carry the momentum from the Asia Cup to South Africa.”

USA

Making their third U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup appearance, USA returns to the competition for the first time since 2010. Before that, USA made their maiden appearance in the 2006 edition of the tournament in Sri Lanka.

Securing qualification in a thrilling manner, USA triumphed over Canada in the final Americas Qualifier match, determined by the DLS method. Despite both teams finishing level on points, the USA’s superior net run rate ultimately earned them the coveted spot in the premier U19 tournament.

A standout performance for the team in the Americas Qualifier was when they put up a mammoth 515 against Argentina before bowling out the opposition to win by a whopping 450 runs.

Squad

Amogh Arepally, Rayaan Bhagani, Aaryan Batra, Khush Bhalala, Prannav Chettipalayam, Arya Garg, Siddarth Kappa, Bhavya Mehta, Aarin Nadkarni, Manav Nayak, Parth Patel, Rishi Ramesh (c), Utkarsh Srivastava, Ateendra Subramanian, Aryaman Suri.

Fixtures

19 January: v Ireland, Bloemfontein
26 January: v Bangladesh, Bloemfontein
28 January: v India, Bloemfontein

Watch out for

Prannav Chettipalayam

The leading run-scorer in the Americas Qualifier, USA’s Prannav Chettipalayam has piled on a mountain of runs over the last year.

He started the tournament with a half-century against Bermuda and followed it up with two more fifties in the next three games.

In a standout performance, Chettipalayam smashed a remarkable 136 off 104 balls in USA’s penultimate game, significantly boosting their net run-rate. Displaying composure in the final Qualifier match, he remained unbeaten, guiding his team to victory and securing their qualification for the U19 Men’s CWC 2024.

What they said

Rishi Ramesh, USA captain: “Personally I will be looking towards our game against India, because I think they are historically one of the biggest teams in cricket. A win against them specifically would be quite historic for the nation of the USA.”

Ireland

This year marks the 10th time Ireland have qualified for the U19 Men’s CWC, and the team will be eager to surpass their previous performances.

Ireland’s display in the previous edition will give them confidence. They achieved their joint-best finish by securing the 10th position in 2022, matching their accomplishment in 2010.

Ireland toured South Africa in March last year, with 10 of the 15 squad members gaining valuable experience. Additionally, the team enters the competition with the confidence of a significant achievement – their first-ever victory against England U19 during the summer of the previous year.

Squad

Philippe le Roux (c), Macdara Cosgrave, Harry Dyer, Daniel Forkin, Kian Hilton, Ryan Hunter, Finn Lutton, Scott Macbeth, Carson McCullough, John McNally, Jordan Neill, Oliver Riley, Gavin Roulston, Matthew Weldon, Reuben Wilson.

Fixtures

19 January: v USA, Bloemfontein
22 January: v Bangladesh, Bloemfontein
25 January: v India, Bloemfontein

Watch out for

Philippe le Roux

Making his second appearance in the U19 World Cup, Philippe le Roux has been entrusted with the captaincy for Ireland in the upcoming tournament.

In the 2022 edition, le Roux emerged as the leading run-scorer for the team, amassing 165 runs in six matches with an impressive average of 41.25. 

His standout contribution came in a Player of the Match-winning performance against Canada, where his unbeaten 83 helped Ireland to victory in their sole triumph of the tournament. 

Now captaining the side, le Roux will hope to build on his past success and guide Ireland to a promising campaign in the U19 World Cup.

What they said

Phillippe le Roux, Ireland captain: “We want to leave having put Ireland on the map at this level, like the senior team has done over the last few years, as a team that will not be pushed over easily.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Lisa Buckwitz in St. Moritz with third monobob victory in a row

St. Moritz (RWH) Bobsleigh pilot Lisa Buckwitz has celebrated her third consecutive  Monobob victory in the fourth race of the winter at the BMW IBSF World Cup in St. Moritz  (SUI). At the Olympia Bobrun St. Moritz Celerina, Buckwitz was in third place after the first  run and took the lead in the second run with a season track record (1:10.89 minutes).  

Monobob World Champion Laura Nolte (GER, 0.13 seconds back), the leader after the first  run, dropped back one place and finished second. Australia’s Breeana Walker finished  third, 0.15 seconds behind winner Lisa Buckwitz and celebrated her third podium in a row  in Monobob World Cup.  

Olympic silver medallist Elana Meyers Taylor (USA) missed out on her first monobob  podium finish of her comeback season in St. Moritz and finished fourth. Local hero Melanie  Hasler from Switzerland finished in fifth place.  

With her victory, Lisa Buckwitz (GER, 843 points) also took the lead in the overall standings  for the BMW IBSF World Cup 2023/2024. Breeana Walker (AUS, 794) remains second  overall. Previous leader Kaysha Love (USA, 779), ninth in St. Moritz, is now third overall. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Jelle, Orel to clash for singles title, Indian pair lifts doubles title at PET ITF Mandya Open

Mandya, Jan 13: The Indian challenge in the men’s singles of the PET ITF Mandya Open ended when Karan Singh and Siddharth Vishwakarma bowed out in semifinals of the PET ITF Mandya Open. While Karan Singh lost to Jelle Sels of The Netherlands 1-6, 4-6, Siddharth went down fighting against third seed Orel Kimhi of Israel 6-2, 5-7, 4-6 at the PET Stadium here on Saturday.

After having two second place finishes in the doubles, it was third time lucky for Manish Sureshkumar and his partner Parikshit Somani as the all-Indian duo came back from a set down to lift the doubles trophy after defeating the pair of Woobin Shin of Korea and Karan Singh 4-6, 6-1, 10-8.

In the first semifinals, Karan adopted an aggressive approach which proved detrimental as he lost his serve in the second game itself. The 20-year-old showed a glimpse of recovery when he broke his rival’s serve in the third game but could not sustain the sudden rush of form. Jelle displayed some quality tennis shots and won five games in a row to seal the first set 6-1.

Karan began with renewed zeal in the second set and played some great cross court winners and gained an early break in the second game and went 3-0 up. However, the Indian began committing unforced errors which gave Jelle the upperhand. The 28-year-old who was ranked 127th in the world two seasons ago, served well and often attacked the net which fetched him the next five games and handed him a 5-3 lead. Karan held his serve in the ninth game before Jelle served out for the match that lasted only 70 minutes.

In the second semifinal, National Games champion Siddharth made a breezy start, whipping his forehand and dishing out big serves and took a 3-0 lead with a break in the second game and broke once again in the eight game to take the first set 6-2. The 20-year-old Israeli then began stitching his game in the latter part of the second set where he was 1-3 down but came back to level at 3 and broke Siddharth’s serve in the 11th game before serving out for the set.

In the deciding set, the games went with the serve until the sixth game after which Orel achieved the crucial break in the seventh game and finally served out for the match after both the players had held their respective serves. The match lasted 2 hours and 29 minutes.

Results (all Indians unless mentioned, prefix denotes seeding)

Singles (Semifinals)

Jelle Sels (NED) bt Karan Singh 6-1, 6-4; 3-Orel Kimhi (ISR) bt Siddharth Vishwakarma 2-6, 7-5, 6-4

Doubles (Final)

4-Parikshit Somani/Manish Sureshkumar bt Woobin Shin (KOR)/Karan Singh 4-6, 6-1, 10-8.

by Abhishek Shukla

The Winchester School to take on GEMS Modern in ILT20 Schools Cup Final

Dubai, 13 January 2024: The Winchester School will battle it out with GEMS Modern for the top honours in the ILT20 Schools Cup Final to be played on Sunday, 14 January. Six teams made the Final round after winning in their respective pools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah where 36 schools competed in the first round.
More than 500 teenagers took part in the first-round matches, 90 out of these 500 now feature in the final round being played at the ICC Academy Ovals, in Dubai. In the final round, the six teams named after the six franchises in the DP World ILT20 are divided into two pools of three teams each.

The finalists Winchester School are named after Dubai Capitals while GEMS Modern are named after defending champions Gulf Giants. The other teams in the fray were The Cambridge High School Abu Dhabi named after MI Emirates, GEMS Cambridge named after Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Our Own English Sharjah named after Sharjah Warriors and DIA Emirates Hill named after Desert Vipers.  

In pool 1, Dubai Capitals, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriors battled with each other for a place in the final while pool 2 saw stiff competition between ADKR, Gulf Giants and Desert Vipers. Both Dubai Capitals and Gulf Giants topped their respective pools comfortably to make it to the final.

Tournament Director ILT20 Schools Cup Andy Russell: “Over the past week, we have witnessed some very exciting cricket at the final round of ILT20 Schools Cup. The International League T20 is committed to providing grassroot opportunities and school cricketers are the future of the game. This tournament has given a great platform for over 500 aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills and it was interesting to see these young players uphold the spirit of sportsmanship.

The growth of the game in the schools also helps creating a strong bond between the DP World ILT20 competition, the franchises and the young generation of UAE cricketers, which is why this initiative is so important. I wish the finalists of the ILT20 Schools Cup the very best.”

by Abhishek Shukla

85th Junior and Youth National TT – Bengal on top of the podium

Kolkata, January 13: There was no surprise about the outcome. But the only thing the teams and the spectators would have been curious about was the margin of victory. Unfortunately, killing their inquisitiveness, hosts West Bengal beat Uttar Pradesh in the Under-19 team final in the 85th edition of the UTT Inter-State Youth and Junior National Table Tennis Championships at the Netaji Indoor Stadium this afternoon.

So authoritative were the boys that the hosts had put up this time that it gave no chance to any team that entered the fray from Day 1. West Bengal never lost a rubber in the group or the knockout stages to their rivals, winning all the ties 3-0.

That was the confidence with which the team entered the court on the day of the final. For a change, as a team strategy, Bodhisatwa began the proceedings against Sarth Mishra. Playing with his usual poise, Bodhisatwa displayed his skills, and Sarth failed to cope with the pressure right from the start. The West Bengal player led 2-0. Sarth changed his game plan, and it brought dividends. He won the extended third game on his second game point. But he failed to sustain the tempo, and Bodhisatwa put his team 1-0 up.

Ankur Bhattacharjee was overcautious against Divyansh Srivastava in the second rubber. A few initial hiccups and unforced errors cost him the game, and it looked like the UP boy was on the right track. But Ankur levelled the score and took control of the match from thereon. The tie saw excellent rallies, but poor finishes by Divyansh worried UP. Going from strength to strength, Ankur consolidated their position.

With a 2-0 team cushion, Shankhadip began the third rubber. Shivam Chandra was not a match for the diminutive Shankhadip. But the UP boy did show his gritty side in the third game and fought back to the extent he could delay the inevitable. Nothing beyond. The UP boys ended up as the bride’s maid and not the bride. They had to be satisfied with the silver medal.

Yesterday, Tamil Nadu and the National Centre of Excellence (Kolkata) claimed the bronze after losing their semifinal matches. It was a special Nationals for NCOE boys as they ascended the podium for the first time. They showed their true potential and could pose a real threat to the established teams in the future if they continued in the same manner.

Results: U-19 Boys Team: 

Final: West Bengal bt Uttar Pradesh 3-0 (Bodhisatwa Chaudhury bt Sarth Mishra 11-6, 11-3, 11-13, 11-8, Ankur Bhattacharjee bt Divyansh Srivastava 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5, Shankhadip Das bt Shivam Chandra 11-6, 11-8, 13-11).

by Abhishek Shukla

#AsianCup2023 opens with record-breaking attendance

The grandest ever edition of Asia’s national team flagship got underway in spectacular fashion on Friday evening with a record number of spectators contributing to the electric atmosphere during the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ between Qatar and Lebanon.
 
A total of 82,490 fans thronged the iconic Lusail Stadium to witness Qatar get off to a winning start in the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel, which eclipsed the previous attendance record of 40,000 for an opening match in AFC Asian Cup™ history that was set in 2004 when China PR and Bahrain played out a 2-2 draw at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing.
 
The 3-0 victory, which meant that reigning champions Qatar moved to the top of Group A, was achieved thanks to a brace from Akram Afif and a header from Almoez Ali, with the latter’s strike taking him to joint-second place in the all-time AFC Asian Cup™ scoring charts on 10 goals.
 
The match also saw the implementation of the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system, marking its debut at an AFC competition and making the AFC the first Confederation in world football to apply the system at the Continental Men’s national team level. The SAOT system complemented the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which made its full debut following its successful implementation from the Quarter-final stage during the 2019 tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
 
Staged in Qatar for a record third time, the showpiece will continue today with three more matches as Australia take on India in the first match of Group B at 2.30pm at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, followed by the second Group A clash between China PR and Tajikistan at 5.30pm at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium before Uzbekistan and Syria round off the day in their Group B fixture at 8.30pm at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

by Abhishek Shukla

Mumbai City FC complete signing of 18-year-old talent Ishaan Shishodia

Mumbai, 13 January 2024: Mumbai City are delighted to announced the signing of young talent Ishaan Shishodia. The 18-year-old midfielder joins the Islanders on a three and a half year contract until the end of the 2026-27 season.
 
Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Ishaan was born and raised in Ghaziabad and went on to represent the Delhi Dynamos’ u15s side before turning out for the Odisha FC u18s. The young central midfielder also rose through the ranks in the age group sides of the Indian National Team and was named the captain of the Indian under-19 team.

Ishaan captained the India under-19s at the 2023 SAFF U19 Championship in Nepal and led India to the title, beating Pakistan in the final. The midfielder also notched up two assists in three games at the tournament in Kathmandu.
 
Ishaan’s signing reaffirms the Islanders’ commitment to work with and develop elite young talent. The young midfielder will join the Islanders’ camp in Bhubaneswar during the ongoing Kalinga Super Cup and will wear the number 71 shirt.
 
Ishaan Shishodia said:
 
“Mumbai City is one of, if not the biggest club in India, and I’m really excited to join them. The environment at Mumbai City is highly spoken of, especially for young players like myself. Being around and learning from the best players in the league will help me learn and get better and I want to make the most of this opportunity and show what I can do. I can’t wait to start this new journey and help my new family achieve great things.”
 
Petr Kratky, Head Coach – Mumbai City FC, said:
 
“Ishaan is a talented, young footballer and has showcased the same in recent years, especially with India’s junior national teams. Ishaan’s qualities and potential suit the style of football we want to play and we believe he can be a great fit in our considerably young squad. We welcome Ishaan to the club and I look forward to working with him.”

by Abhishek Shukla

‘No team can stop us in the Pro Kabaddi League,’ says Puneri Paltan’s Head Coach BC Ramesh

JAIPUR, 13th January 2024: The Puneri Paltan recorded their eighth consecutive victory in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 after defeating the Gujarat Giants 37-17 in Jaipur on Friday. When asked about their fantastic winning streak, Puneri Paltan’s Head Coach BC Ramesh said, “The players are coordinating very well on the mat and we have a great team balance. We have good players on the bench as well. We’ll look to give opportunities to the players on the bench in our upcoming games.”

One of the youngsters in the Pune side – Gaurav Khatri put up a brilliant performance with 6 tackle points on the night. Speaking about his performance, the Head Coach said, “Gaurav is a really good defender. He plays with a lot of courage. And he never plays for himself. He always puts the team’s needs ahead of his own. It feels really good to see him do well and he’ll do even better in the upcoming matches.”

BC Ramesh further added, “I feel Shadloui, Abinesh and Gaurav will be among the top three defenders for us this season. Shadloui picked up a raid point for us as well. Additionally, Aslam is a great all-round player. He picks up raid and tackle points for the team. And he’s managing the team well.”

The Head Coach also expressed that no team can stop Puneri Paltan’s juggernaut this season, “I knew from our first match of this season that we have a super team. There’s no team that can stop us in this competition. All the players have been putting up outstanding performances.”

The Puneri Paltan will be next in action when they take on Jaipur Pink Panthers in Jaipur on Saturday.

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 10 matches today
Game 1 – Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Puneri Paltan – 8 pm
Game 2 – U.P. Yoddhas vs Bengal Warriors – 9 pm

Venue: Jaipur

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ hotstar.  

by Abhishek Shukla

Super Wild Card Weekend: Comprehensive Injury Update

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2024 – As the NFL gears up for the highly anticipated Super Wild Card Weekend, teams are grappling with injury challenges that could impact game outcomes. Here’s a detailed report on the injury status of players across various teams:

CLEVELAND BROWNS vs. HOUSTON TEXANS – Saturday

For the Browns, key players like S Grant Delpit, K Dustin Hopkins, and WR Cedric Tillman are ruled out, dealing a blow to the team’s defensive and special teams units. The Browns also face uncertainties with CB Mike Ford, RB Pierre Strong, S Juan Thornhill, and CB Denzel Ward listed as questionable.

The Texans, on the other hand, will be missing DE Jerry Hughes. They have a longer list of questionable players, including DE Will Anderson, FB Andrew Beck, WR Noah Brown, DT Maliek Collins, DE Jonathan Greenard, DT Sheldon Rankins, and WR Robert Woods. This list puts a question mark on their defensive efficiency.

MIAMI DOLPHINS vs. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – Saturday night

The Dolphins report CB Xavien Howard out with a foot injury. They also list several players as questionable, including S DeShon Elliott, S Jevon Holland, RB Raheem Mostert, and WR Jaylen Waddle, potentially impacting their defensive and offensive capabilities.

The Chiefs will miss T Wanya Morris due to a concussion. Their offense may be compromised with WRs Justyn Ross and Kadarius Toney being questionable.

GREEN BAY PACKERS vs. DALLAS COWBOYS – Sunday

The Packers list RB A.J. Dillon as doubtful and have CB Jaire Alexander and WR Christian Watson as questionable, potentially affecting both their offense and defense.

The Cowboys have QB Cooper Rush as their only questionable player, but his role as a backup quarterback might not significantly impact the game unless starting QB Dak Prescott encounters issues.

LOS ANGELES RAMS vs. DETROIT LIONS – Sunday night

The Rams have a lengthy list of questionable players, including DT Bobby Brown, G Kevin Dotson, S Jordan Fuller, TE Tyler Higbee, T Joseph Noteboom, and LB Troy Reeder, indicating potential gaps in both offense and defense.

The Lions will miss LB James Houston, CB Jerry Jacobs, TE James Mitchell, and WR Kalif Raymond. DE John Cominsky and TE Sam LaPorta remain questionable, which could impact their defensive line and offensive options.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS vs. BUFFALO BILLS – Sunday

LB T.J. Watt’s absence due to a knee injury is a significant hit to the Steelers’ defense. Their roster also sees G Isaac Seumalo and LB T.J. Watt out, while other players have full participation in practice.

The Bills will be without WR Gabe Davis and S Taylor Rapp. They have LB Tyrel Dodson and CB Rasul Douglas listed as questionable, posing challenges for their defensive strategies.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – Monday night

The Eagles have S Reed Blankenship, WR A.J. Brown, and S Sydney Brown not participating in practice, all due to injuries. WR Britain Covey and QB Jalen Hurts

have had limited participation, raising concerns about the team’s offensive depth.

The Buccaneers didn’t practice on Thursday, but their injury report suggests potential issues. LB K.J. Britt, QB Baker Mayfield, and T Tristan Wirfs are listed as having limited participation, which could impact their defensive and offensive lines.

Overall, the injury reports from each team reveal significant challenges as they head into the Wild Card Weekend. Key players’ absences and uncertainties could force teams to adjust strategies and rely on depth players to step up. The impact of these injuries will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as they could play a pivotal role in the outcome of this weekend’s high-stakes matchups.

by Abhishek Shukla

‘NFL Tuesday Night Gaming’ Season Two Wraps with Special Episodes

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES — Jan. 10, 2024 — The National Football League and Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (“Enthusiast Gaming” or the “Company”) (TSX: EGLX), will wrap the second season of the popular video gaming series “NFL Tuesday Night Gaming” (NFL TNG) with a collection of special episodes that highlight the moments fans crave the most. For those who missed all the action during the regular season, for the first time “NFL TNG” will air on FOX for a one-hour broadcast on Jan. 13 at noon ET, featuring some of the top moments and hottest player rivalries from season two in a special episode hosted by popular Madden NFL content creator Matthew “MMG” Meagher.

Through the collaboration of NFL stars and gaming content creators, “NFL TNG” is committed to connecting fan communities and delivering a cohesive viewing experience tailored to the preferences of young audiences. The program saw major growth in its second season with an overall +40% increase in total impressions in comparison to its inaugural season in 2022.

“Season two of ‘NFL Tuesday Night Gaming’ saw great success with record growth numbers which further exemplifies the strength of our first-of-its-kind gaming series and the NFL’s dedication to bringing fans an unparalleled experience beyond the football field alongside Enthusiast Gaming,” said Ed Kiang, vice president of video gaming at the NFL. “Collaborating with our broadcast partner FOX to help culminate season two with an exclusive top moments program will allow fans to catch all the action they might have missed while providing an unforgettable bookend to an impactful season.” 

“Crafting a dynamic weekly series that seamlessly bridges the worlds of gaming, streaming and NFL stardom has been a remarkable accomplishment and has set a new standard for entertainment at the intersection of sports and gaming,” said Adrian Montgomery, chairman and interim chief executive officer of Enthusiast Gaming. “’NFL TNG’ enables us to spotlight a vibrant synergy between gaming and sports to a broader audience, ensuring an exhilarating experience that captivates fans and brings the convergence of these worlds to the forefront.”

Upcoming Special Episodes

“NFL TNG” will have several special episodes surrounding major NFL moments in January and February where fans can catch more of the action. In addition to the hour-long regular season recap hosted by Matthew “MMG” Meagher on FOX, there will be four other special episodes with new content in celebration of major NFL beats.

  • “NFL Tuesday Night Gaming” one-hour broadcast on FOX (Jan. 13 at noon ET)  
  • “NFL Tuesday Night Gaming Chunky® Spicy Showdown” (Jan. 16 at 9 p.m. ET) 
  • “NFL Tuesday Night Gaming Pro Bowl Games Special” (Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. ET) 
  • “NFL Tuesday Night Gaming” during Super Bowl LVIII Week (Feb. 8-9, times to be announced at a later date)

About “NFL Tuesday Night Gaming” Season Two

The second season of “NFL TNG” featured NFL players and Legends teaming up with top gaming creators to go head-to-head across popular video game titles from a variety of genres including Fall Guys, Rocket League, Fortnite, Madden NFL and new this season, Apex Legends.​

The 15-episode season aired every Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET in tandem with the NFL regular season on “NFL TNG’s” Twitch, YouTube and X channels, treating fans to a mix of gaming, entertainment and behind-the-scenes moments, including 1v1 show matches between MMG and various NFL talents in a couch co-op style Madden NFL matchup. The season featured a new format with captain-led teams, including creators like SypherPK, Symfuhny, TypicalGamer and QTCinderella, and top NFL talent including Ja’marr Chase, Puka Nacua, CJ Mosley and Demarcus Lawrence.

From the star-studded “NFL Tuesday Night Gaming Play Day”, hosted by Quavo at the season’s start, to the much-anticipated return of JeromeASF and JennySmiles for “NFL Family Game Night”, a special “NFL TNG” series intended for children and parental co-viewing audiences, and the exciting integration of the One Piece x Fortnite Map, this season delivered a diverse array of unique experiences tailored for gamers of all audiences.

by Abhishek Shukla

Flyers Rally to Overcome Wild in Overtime Thriller

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Philadelphia Flyers, led by Joel Farabee’s heroics, mounted a stunning comeback to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in overtime at Xcel Energy Center on Friday. Farabee, who scored twice including the game-winner, played a key role in the Flyers’ victory that prevented Marc-Andre Fleury from surpassing Patrick Roy on the NHL wins list.

Farabee’s decisive goal came during a power play in overtime, capping a three-goal rally for the Flyers. His tip-in of an Egor Zamula shot proved to be the crucial moment in a closely contested game.

The Flyers’ comeback was marked by resilience, with Owen Tippett tying the game in the third period and Tyson Foerster narrowing the deficit earlier. Philadelphia’s persistence paid off, with players expressing confidence in their game and the strength within the team.

Carter Hart’s 26 saves were vital in goal for Philadelphia, which has now won three of its past four games. Flyers coach John Tortorella praised his team for continuing to play and finding a way to win despite early setbacks.

Minnesota, led by Ryan Hartman’s goal and assist, along with scores from Marcus Johansson and Matt Boldy, initially seemed in control. However, the Wild, now on a three-game losing streak, couldn’t maintain their lead despite Fleury’s 31 saves.

Fleury’s attempt to move past Roy for NHL wins remained unfulfilled, but he recognized the team’s solid performance despite the disappointing outcome. Hartman echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for the Wild to hold leads and avoid mental mistakes.

Farabee’s tying goal was set up by Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny, who also provided two assists, highlighting the Flyers’ teamwork and execution under pressure. Minnesota’s coach John Hynes pointed out the need for discipline and attention to details, especially when leading.

The game was a milestone for Flyers coach Tortorella, who achieved his 300th comeback win, joining an elite group of NHL coaches with such a record.

Looking ahead, the Wild face continued challenges to turn their fortunes around, while the Flyers aim to build on this comeback victory. The game underscored the importance of resilience and teamwork in achieving success

by Matt Windsor (US)

Predators Dominate Stars in Convincing Victory

DALLAS – The Nashville Predators, led by Ryan O’Reilly’s standout performance, secured a decisive 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on Friday. O’Reilly, contributing a goal and two assists, played a pivotal role in the victory.

The Predators, who have won four of their past six games, saw Filip Forsberg adding a goal and an assist, while Roman Josi provided three assists. Goalie Kevin Lankinen made 19 saves, helping Nashville improve to a .500 record.

The game marked a significant turnaround for the Predators, with O’Reilly noting the team’s improved aggression and pace. Michael Porter also had a noteworthy game with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Jamal Murray finished with 20 points and nine assists.

Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 30 points, while Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. each added points to the scoreboard. However, the Stars’ efforts were not enough to counter the Predators’ dominant play.

Stars coach Willie Green recognized the challenges of facing a team like the Predators and emphasized the need for better energy and discipline, particularly in starting games on the road.

The Predators established a lead in the second period, with Jeremy Lauzon’s goal setting the tone. Tommy Novak extended the lead with a shot from the top of the right face-off circle.

The third period saw a flurry of goals from both teams, but Nashville maintained its advantage. Notable contributions came from O’Reilly, Forsberg, and Duchene, with the Predators showcasing their offensive depth.

The Stars, despite a brief comeback attempt, were unable to match Nashville’s intensity and execution. Gustav Nyquist and Juuso Parssinen’s empty-net goals sealed the victory for the Predators.

Nashville’s win highlighted their collective effort and ability to execute their game plan effectively. The Predators look forward to building on this performance, while the Stars will aim to regroup and address their shortcomings.

Up next, the Pelicans face Dallas in back-to-back games, while the Nuggets host Indiana on Sunday. The Predators’ victory serves as a testament to their potential as a cohesive and competitive team in the league.

by Abhishek Shukla

Jokic’s Triple-Double Powers Nuggets Past Pelicans

DENVER – Nikola Jokic’s stellar performance, with 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds, led the Denver Nuggets to a 125-113 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. This game marked Jokic’s 10th career triple-double against New Orleans, the most he has achieved against any single opponent.

With 12 triple-doubles this season and 117 in his career, Jokic’s consistent excellence was on full display, particularly with his scoring streak of 25 or more points in 14 straight games against New Orleans.

The Nuggets bounced back from their recent loss to Utah, ending the Pelicans’ seven-game road winning streak. Jokic attributed the win to Denver’s increased pace and aggression.

Michael Porter contributed significantly with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 20 points and nine assists. For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson led with 30 points, Jonas Valanciunas added 17 points, and Larry Nance Jr. contributed 13 points.

Pelicans coach Willie Green acknowledged the challenge of playing catch-up after Denver’s strong start, which saw the Nuggets scoring 37 points in the first quarter. Despite efforts to narrow the gap, New Orleans struggled to overcome Denver’s lead.

Notable moments included Reggie Jackson’s crucial plays at the end of the third quarter, which extended Denver’s lead, and Williamson’s dunk in the fourth that briefly revived the Pelicans’ hopes. However, Murray’s fadeaway jumper and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s 3-pointer secured the Nuggets’ victory.

Jokic’s exceptional playmaking was highlighted by a remarkable assist to Aaron Gordon, showcasing his creative and skillful passing. Nuggets coach Michael Malone likened Jokic’s flair to basketball legends like Magic Johnson and “Pistol” Pete Maravich.

Reflecting on the play, Jokic emphasized his intent to deliver the ball quickly to an open Gordon, showcasing his keen court vision and quick decision-making.

Looking ahead, the Pelicans will face Dallas in back-to-back games, while the Nuggets host Indiana on Sunday. Denver’s win, fueled by Jokic’s outstanding performance, demonstrates their potential as a formidable team in the league.

by Abhishek Shukla

Jazz Dominate Raptors for Seventh Straight Home Win

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz continued their impressive form, securing a commanding 145-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. Lauri Markkanen’s 22 points and nine rebounds spearheaded the win, as the Jazz celebrated their tenth win in twelve games and seventh consecutive home victory, bringing their overall record to .500.

Jordan Clarkson contributed 21 points, with Collin Sexton adding 20 for Utah. Kelly Olynyk’s team-high 10 rebounds off the bench played a significant role in the Jazz’s dominance, particularly in the paint and on the boards. Utah outscored Toronto 58-32 in the paint and had a notable 68-36 advantage in total rebounds.

Clarkson highlighted the fun and involvement in the game, attributing the team’s positive vibe to their success on both ends of the floor. Pascal Siakam led Toronto with 27 points, returning after missing a game due to back spasms. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickly added 19 and 15 points, respectively, for the Raptors.

Toronto’s coach, Darko Rajakovic, acknowledged the team’s lack of energy and emphasized the need for mental toughness and discipline, especially in closing road trips. The Raptors finished their six-game road swing with only two victories.

The Jazz established a solid lead in the second quarter, with Markkanen’s scoring burst fueling a 14-4 run. Despite Toronto’s efficiency from beyond the arc, they struggled with field goals inside the arc, scoring only six points in the paint in the first half.

Utah’s defensive strategy, focusing on collapsing driving lanes and forcing perimeter play, was effective against the Raptors. The Jazz started the third quarter with a flurry of scoring, extending their lead significantly, highlighted by Simone Fontecchio’s contributions.

Utah’s season-high 41 points in the third quarter and the distribution of assists, with five players having five or more, showcased their cohesive and dynamic play.

Coach Will Hardy of the Jazz praised the team’s ball movement and involvement, which has been a key factor in their recent success.

Looking ahead, Toronto hosts Boston on Monday night, while Utah faces the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. The Jazz’s win demonstrates their capability to dominate games and maintain strong home-court advantage, while the Raptors will look to regroup and address their challenges on the road.