Indian Sports Highlights, December 29: Odisha FC demolish Jamshedpur FC in a five goal thriller in ISL
Catch the live updates of developments in Indian sports and performances of athletes in events happening across the world on December 29.
Odisha FC (Source: OFC Media)
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Odisha FC wrapped up their first half of the ISL 2023-24 season with an impressive 4-1 victory against Jamshedpur FC at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, on Friday. The goal scorers in the match for Odisha were I.Vanlalruatfela (27'), R. Krishna (36', 45+3'), and Diego Maurício (PEN - 45+2').Jamshedpur FC managed an early goal by R. Tachikawa (23').
Odisha FC initiated a high-press strategy, favoring long balls, but Jamshedpur's solid defensive shape thwarted their attempts. In the 7th minute, Carlos' header from Jahouh's free-kick hit the keeper, leading to Roy scoring on the rebound. However, the referee ruled it as a foul.
Harika Dronavalli continues the good run and finishes the day-1 with 7 points out of 9 matches and currently sitting on the bronze medal position. She will want to continue the momentum tomorrow in the final eight matches before deciding a winner.
She will start the day with a match against Alexandra Kosteniuk at 2:30 PM IST in the tenth round of the competition.
Divya Deshmukh and Priyanka Nutakki are the next two Indian players in the standings, they are one point behind Harika.
Bharath Subramaniyam has a tremendous run at the World Blitz Championship, he takes six wins on trot to enter the top 10 in standings and currently leading the Indian charts with 6.5 points.
In the 9th round he is facing the defending Champion and the legend of the game Magnus Carlsen of Norway on the top board.
He is closely followed by Praggnanandhaa and Nihal Sarin with 6 points each. They are playing Georgian and Turkish opponent in next round respectively.
Harika Dronavalli shows her experience and registered four wins in a trot to leapfrog into top 10 of the leaderboard at the World Blitz Championships in women's section. Divya Deshmukh still leading the Indian charts with 5 points out of 6 games.
Harika will play Umida Omonova of Uzbekistan in next round whereas Divya has a tough task in the name of Alexandra Kosteniuk of Switzerland in next round.
Koneru Humpy also make a comeback and just one point behind the other two Indians. She will play home-compatiot Raksitta Ravi in next round.
Praggnanandhaa started the World Blitz Championship with the four straight wins in the men's section. He is currently leading the Indian standings and sitting on third position overall.
He will play Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in the fifth round and want to continue this winning momentum.
Five Indian players are sitting behind him on 3 points whereas Vidit Gujrathi doesn't had a good start as he has managed only 2 points after 4 rounds. Seven more rounds will be taken place today.
Youngster Divya Deshmukh started the World Blitz Championship with three out of three wins in the women's section. She is currently leading the Indian standings and sitting on fifth position overall.
She will play Ann Matnadze Bujiashvili of Spain in round-4 and will try to maintain this early winning momentum.
Five Indian players are sitting behind her on 2 points whereas Koneru Humpy doesn't had a good start as she has managed only 1.5 points after 3 rounds. Six more rounds will taken place today.
Enigma Gaming has been crowned the champions of the Pova Cup Season 4 BGMI, marking a thrilling end to the 2023 season. The team’s victory was a spectacular one as they made their way through the Open Qualifiers, facing off against more than 6,000 players from across the country, to qualify for the Semifinals and eventually lift the trophy.
Enigma Gaming fielded a newly formed roster in the Pova Cup Season 4 as a prelude to the 2024 season. They were dominant throughout the tournament, cruising their way through the Open Qualifiers and the Semifinals. In the Grand Finals, they continued their momentum, bagging three chicken dinners and 51 finish points.
Football legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is all set for his maiden visit to India as Manchester United fan and founder of Ace of Pubs, Tilak Gaurang Shah will be hosting the exciting three-city tour, from February 9 to 11.
Manchester United fans in India will be treated with a lifetime opportunity to get live glimpses of their favourite star as Solskjaer will ignite football fervour across the country when he lands in Bengaluru — the first city of his tour, on February 9.
The passion and fever that will accompany the visit of the legendary icon Solskjaer will be nothing short of electrifying.
The Indian Women's Hockey Team has had a great run in the year 2023. They missed out on direct qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games but bounced back to clinch the Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023. Furthermore, they have achieved their best-ever FIH World Rankings, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
With their focus solely pinned on winning the Gold medal at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, the Indian Team started the year with practice matches against South Africa and the Netherlands in January followed by a three-match tour to Australia in May 2023. They then participated in the 4 Nations Invitational Tournament in Terrassa where they remained unbeaten against the hosts Spain and England.
Shuttler Chirag Shetty said his biggest target in 2024 is to win the Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Chirag and his men's doubles partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have had a terrific 2023, when they attained the world no. 1 ranking, and won historic Asian Championships and Asian Games gold. They also claimed their maiden Super 1000 title at the Indonesia Open along with the Korea Open Super 500 and Swiss Open Super 300 titles.
Ahead of beginning their journey in 2024 at the Malaysia Open Super 1000, Chirag said, "Going into 2024, the Olympics is the biggest target for us. That said, there are other competitions which we have not won yet, like the All England. Hopefully 2024 will be another great year,”