A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Tuesday
Mumbai is all set to host one of Manchester United’s long-running and popular #ILOVEUNITED fan events, with live screening of the club’s Premier League away fixture against Burnley on Saturday 20th January at The Royal Western India Turf Club, Mahalaxmi, South Central Mumbai.
The exclusive and free event for United fans will have an interactive, online hub linking fans around the globe and the opportunity to upload and post their own videos and pictures of them cheering on the team.
Manchester United Ambassador, Denis Irwin and club legend and former striker, Louis Saha will be returning to India, having previously represented the club in February 2016.
The Manchester United legends will meet fans, sample local culture and give pre-match views and half time analysis of the game. Supporters can also expect live entertainment, giveaways and competitions including the chance to win a once in a lifetime VIP trip to Old Trafford.
Dismal start to season for Indian shuttlers
Indian mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy failed to cross the opening hurdle at the season-opening USD 350,000 Malaysia Masters, in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Sikki and Pranaav suffered a 18-21, 17-21 loss to seventh seed Hong Kong pair of Lee Chun Hei Reginald and Chau Hoi Wahto begin the international season on a disappointing note.
The Indo-Malaysian combo of Prajakta Sawant and Yogendran Khrishnan reached the second round of the mixed doubles after getting a walkover from Australian combo of Sawan Serasinghe and Setyana Mapasa.
With the Premier Badminton League ending last Sunday, Indian shuttlers, including P Kashyap and B Sai Praneeth, decided to take part in the Malaysia Masters, which is one of the seven BWF World Tour Super 500 event.
However, it was a dismal start to the international calendar for most Indian as they failed to cross the opening hurdle.
In the men's singles qualifier, Kashyap suffered a 14-21, 17-21 loss to Thailand's Kantaphon Wangcharoen, while Subhankar Dey lost 21-11, 11-21, 9-21 to Denmark's Kim Bruun.
In the women's doubles qualifiers, Aparna Balan and Sruthi KP lost to Singapore pair of Ong Ren-Ne and Wong Jia Ying Crystal 12-21, 21-18, 15-21, while Sanyogita Ghorpade and Prajakta Sawant suffered a 20-22, 18-21 defeat to Malaysian pair of Chiew Sien Lim and Zhen Yap.
Praneeth will face Kantaphon Wangcharoen on Wednesday, while women's doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy will take on German combo of Johanna Goliszewski and Kaepplein Lara.
I-League Aizawl hold East Bengal to goal-less draw
Defending champions Aizawl FC and East Bengal played out a goal-less draw in an entertaining I- League match in Aizawl on Tuesday, with both sides failing to convert the chances that came their ways.
The game started with a high tempo as the home side pressed for an early goal. Liberian midfielder Jaryan's shot flew just wide of the post and William Lalnunfela was awarded a golden opportunity by Albert only to waste it from six yards.
East Bengal grew in confidence and Katsumi was looking dangerous, especially from the dead ball situations but Avilash Paul stood like a rock at the Aizawl goal.
At the half-hour mark, Katsumi was unlucky as his thunderous shot struck the crossbar. He poked at the rebound again but Aizawl goalkeeper Avilash pushed it over.
East Bengal introduced local boy Brandon in the first half but the diminutive Mizo winger could not make much of influence. With the quarter of the game gone, Jaryan again tested
East Bengal goalkeeper Barreto with his powerful right foot shot but Eduardo thwarted the danger much to the dismay of the home fans.
The second half began with a heated altercation between players of both sides as former Aizawl midfielder Al-Amna and Afghan defender Masih Saighani were both booked by referee Rosario Fernandes.
Menezes introduced local striker Lalkhawpuimawia in search of a goal and Khalid brought in WillisPlaza minutes later but a goal eluded both sides.
Aizawl now have 14 points from eight games while East Bengal maintained the second spot on the table with 18 points form 10 games.
Aizawl will host Neroca FC on January 20 whereas the Red & Golds will lock their horns with Mohun Bagan in the much-anticipated Kolkata Derby on January 21.
