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Here are all the key updates from December 9, Friday:
Pardeep's UP Yoddhas beat Pawan's Telugu Titans
Pawan Sehrawat, the most expensive player in the Pro Kabaddi League's history, just can't catch a break with his new team. The Telugu Titans lost their third consecutive game as they were undone 48-33 by Pardeep Narwal's UP Yoddhas. What should have been a keen contest with two of India's biggest raiders on the mat became a rather one-sided battle as the Yoddhas stamped their authority on the game from the get-go. Surender Gill was the star of the game as he scored a massive 14 raid points, while Pawan completed yet another Super 10 that, once again, went in vain.
East Bengal blunted as Punjab FC hold them to goalless draw
After the high of their 5-0 win over NorthEast United in their previous game, East Bengal were brought swiftly back down to earth at the Salt Lake stadium with Punjab FC holding them to a stalemate. Both sides huffed and puffed for a majority of the game with Juan Mera coming close for Punjab in the first half, but it was a largely tepid affair as Staikos Vergetis ensured his side gave Carlos Cuadrat's men no quarter.
The result has East Bengal in the last playoff spot with nine points from eight games, while Punjab's third consecutive draw has them eleventh in the table after nine games.
Bengaluru Bulls slip to fourth successive loss in PKL
The home support wasn't enough to turn the tide in Bengaluru Bulls' favour as they lost their fourth game on the trot, this time 32-38 to the Haryana Steelers. The Bulls got off to a flier as Bharat Hooda picked up five points in the very first raid, but nothing really clicked for them thereon. The Steelers raiders - Vinay and Siddharth Desai - made merry of the Bulls defence while the Steelers themselves were rock-solid in defence. Both Jaideep Dahiya and Mohit picked up High 5s.
The result pushes the Bulls to the bottom of the table, while the Steelers will climb to the ninth spot.
Perugia reach FIVB CWC final
Sir Sicoma Perugia from Italy - favourites by all accounts to win the FIVB Club World Championships taking place in Bengaluru, have reached the final of the competition after defeating Halkbank Spor Kulubu of Turkey in their semifinal. On paper, a 3-0 win seems comfortable enough, and it was the case for the opening two sets, with Perugia winning 25-14 and then 25-16, before the Turkish side pushed their opponents right to the limit in the third set, that the Italians eventually won 31-29 to seal a spot in the final.
They are set to face the winner of the tie between Suntory Sunbirds and Itambe Minas, while Halkbank SK face the loser in the third place match tomorrow.
Kickstart get off to a good start in the IWL
The 2023-24 edition of the Indian Women's League notched up its first goals of the season, as last year's beaten finalists, Kickstart FC began with a 3-0 win away to HOPS. After Gokulam Kerala and Sethu FC cancelled each other out in their goalless opener, Karishma Purushottam had the honour of scoring the first goal of the season in the 13th minute, capitalising on poor defending from HOPS as they let a long ball forward fall to the strikers feet in the box and she placed it into the top corner. Ten minutes later, Kickstart were firmly in control as Sushmita Lepcha found the net. HOPS offered little resistance and Chaoba Devi's side made it 3-0 in the 64th minute courtesy Yumlembam Pakpi Devi, who sealed the victory with an attempted cross that looped into the far corner.
Mumbai City FC name Petr Kratky as new Head Coach
We have the second big ISL coach news of the day as Mumbai City FC have announced the name of Des Buckingham's replacement.
Petr Kratky is from their sister club Melbourne City, all part of the City Football Group club. Interestingly, that was the route Buckingham took, joining from Melbourne in October 2021.
Born in the Czech Republic, Kratky enjoyed a 15-year playing career as a right back and represented some of the biggest Czech clubs including Mlada Boleslav and Slovan Liberec before finishing his career with Heidelberg United in Australia. Kratky then joined A-League side Melbourne City as an Academy Coach, taking charge of the Club's Developmental Squad in the NPL2, before coaching them in the NPL Seniors.
How does watching world volleyball's best in India feel like?
A mix of awe, wistfulness and hope. Our correspondent Anirudh Menon was there at the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Club Championships in Bengaluru and has written about Miguel Angel Lopez's superhuman jump, Wallace de Souza touch of genius as well as the glimpses of the Indian talent in Angamuthu Ramaswamy's spiking or Manoj Manjunatha's blocking or Muthusamy Appavu's setting. Read more:
Volleyball's best soar and spike in Bengaluru, but the Indian dream yet to take off
Bengaluru FC part ways with Simon Grayson
Big news coming early on this Saturday from the world of Indian club football. Soon after a 4-0 loss to Mumbai City at home, Bengaluru FC announced the departure of coach Simon Grayson. The official club statement stated that they have mutually agreed to part ways but it felt like this news was coming after an emotional press conference last night. Assistant Coach Neil McDonald will also depart the club.
For now, Renedy Singh will take charge of the team as they look for a new coach.
The Englishman Grayson joined the club at the start of the 2022-23 season and led them to three finals - winning the Durand Cup and finishing runners up in Super Cup and the Indian Super League final. He was also the coach responsible for the team's turnaround in the last ISL season, where they reached the semis which ended in a controversial manner against Kerala Blasters FC.
For bringing home silverware that had eluded us, for a fight to the finish that inspired us, for every magical night at our Fortress and for so much more. ��#ThankYouSimon #WeAreBFC pic.twitter.com/JFQUXJkBtq
- Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) December 9, 2023
What's in store today?
The Indian women's cricket team takes on England in the second T20I in Mumbai.
East Bengal play Punjab FC in the ISL.
PKL and IWL action continues.
What happened yesterday?
The new season of the Indian Women's League began.
Indian junior women's hockey team beat South Korea.
Ahmedabad Defenders exited the FIVB Club World Championships.
Mumbai City beat Bengaluru FC 4-0 in the Indian Super League.
You can check all the details of yesterday's news events here.