MP score 29 goals, Manipur strike 19 times in hockey nationals
CHENNAI, Nov 4: Madhya Pradesh scored a staggering 29 goals, finding the back of the net almost every two minutes on an average while making a mockery of Andaman & Nicobar, as the Senior Men’s National Hockey Championship commenced with lopsided matches here on Monday.In another one-sided game, Manipur crushed Bihar 19-1 in Pool H. Cyril Lugun (9’,21’, 52’), Ningombam Jenjen Singh (19’, 23’, 50’), Laishram Dipu Singh (26’, 36’, 39’) and Bhakar Ningobam (41’, 53’, 55’) impressed with hat-tricks.In the Pool C match featuring MP, a flurry of goals came from Yousuf Affan (8’, 21’, 30’, 39’, 42’, 55’) as he scored a double hat-trick.Mohammad Zaid Khan (2’, 16’, 46’, 49’, 51’) was also lethal with five goals and Akshay Dubey (9’, 10’, 14’, 58’) found the back of the net on four occasions. Mohd. Nizamudding (4’, 6’, 50’) and Mohd Umar (15’, 40’, 44’) struck hat-tricks for MP.Besides MP and Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Chandigarh and Tamil Nadu also won their respective opening round matches.The action commenced with a Pool F match that saw Uttar Pradesh defeat Kerala 6-0. Arun Sahani (3’, 52’) led the attack with a brace while Chandhan Singh (21’), captain Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (32’), Shibam Anand (55’) and Faraz Mohd (57’) also contributed with goals.In Pool D, Karnataka beat Uttarakhand 10-0. Mohammed Raheel Mouseen (20’, 38’, 53’) was the top scorer with three goals along with Abharan Sudev’s (16’, 37’) brace.Poovana CB (7’). Rahul CJ (15’), Bharat Mahalingappa Kurtakoti (39’), Somaiah Kuppanda (52’), and Surya NM (55’) registered their names on the scoresheet as well.In another Pool D clash, Chandigarh registered a 5-0 victory following a forfeit by Tripura.In the final match of the day, Tamil Nadu got the better of Andhra Pradesh 7-0. Captain Karthi S (16’, 57’) scored a brace while Selvaraj Kangaraj (21’), Dhilipan (38’), J Joshua Bendedict Wesley (40’), Manojkumar (41’) and Mareeswaran Sakthivel (49’) struck a goal each for Tamil Nadu. (PTI)
Delhi SG Pipers sign Australian Olympian Jacob Whetton
NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Delhi SG Pipers on Monday announced the signing of three-time Olympian Jacob ‘Jake’ Whetton of Australia for the upcoming Hockey India League season.The 33-year-old midfielder will be replacing Dutchman Jorrit Croon, who has pulled out due to an ankle injury.“It’s never easy to replace a player of Jorrit Croon’s calibre. Unfortunately, his recovery from the ankle injury isn’t progressing as hoped, which has led us to make this difficult decision,” Delhi’s head coach Graham Reid stated in a release.“His ability to control the midfield aligns perfectly with our game strategy, and I have known Jacob since 2009, so he is well-acquainted with my coaching style.” Whetton has a wealth of experience with him, featuring in 253 games for the Kookaburras, netting 75 goals, and also helping the side win the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.Besides, the Queenslander also won the World Cup in 2014 and helped his team finish third four years later.He also helped his side win gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.Whetton has also won Champions Trophy twice (2012 and 2018) and a bronze in 2014. (PTI)
India Seniors win silver at Bridge Olympiad in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, Nov 4: ndia Seniors signed off with a silver medal as they went down 165-258 to USA in the final of the 16th World Bridge Olympiad here.The Indian team comprised Kamal Mukherjee, Vibhas Todi , Badal Das, Pranab Bardhan, Arun Bapat, Ravi Goenka and Girish Bijoor, who is the non-playing captain.In the 96 board final, which took place over two days and six segments, the competition was neck and neck after the first two segments.However, the USA won the third segment decisively, with a score of 53-7 IMPs, and from there, they never looked back, despite the Indian team’s determined efforts.Meanwhile, in two pairs events held alongside the final, the young Indian duo of Sanjit Dey and Binod Shaw excelled, finishing as the top performers in both events and ending their maiden international competition on a high note. (PTI)