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Saturday is an action-packed day for Indian sport with the first AFC Asian Cup match, the start of the hockey Olympic Qualifiers as well as big matches in badminton and tennis.
The live blog is updated throughout the day, so keep checking back for updates and analysis.
Here are the key updates from January 13, Saturday:
India lose to USA in opening game of Olympic qualifiers
A slow and toothless display from the Indian women was suitably punished as they lost 1-0 to the USA in the opening game of the FIH Olympic Qualifiers at Ranchi. Abigail Tamer scored the only goal of the game for the USA, as India struggled to even create notable chances.
India now have to win both their remaining group games - against Italy and New Zealand - to have any chance of qualifying for the Olympics.
Jaipur Pink Panthers stun Puneri Paltan, Bengal Warriors edge past U.P. Yoddhas
Defending champions Jaipur Pink Panthers produced one of the biggest upsets of PKL10 as they beat the table-toppers Puneri Paltan today. Arjun Deshwal was in tremendous form as he scored 16 points in his side's 36-34 win. Puneri Paltan fought their way back into the game and took a sizeable nine-point lead at one point, but the Jaipur Pink Panthers, backed by the full-throated home crowd, played their best kabaddi of the season to script a massive win.
The second game of the evening saw Maninder Singh's Bengal Warriors post a 42-37 win over Pardeep Narwal's U.P. Yoddhas. Both star raiders bagged Super 10s, but the Yoddhas' defence managed just six tackle points and that cost them.
AFC Asian Cup: Australia beat India 2-0
India were resolute in their defending, especially in the first half, but Australia got the goals after the break to secure the win.
Jackson Irvine broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, an error by the goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, while Jordon Bos netted the second in the 73rd minute. India hardly created chances, which was expected, but their defending was praise-worthy. Sandesh Jhingan was outstanding at the back.
More details on our blog here.
Satwik-Chirag storm into Malaysia Open Super 1000 final
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty played a sensational match to beat reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae 21-18, 22-20 and reach the final of the season-opening Malaysia Open Super 1000 final. They are now the first Indians to reach the final of the tournament in its current version.
The highlight of their performance was their stunning comeback in the second game. Trailing 14-20 after the South Koreans had stepped up the attack, they saved six game points and then won eight straight points to clinch the match in straight games.
The Indians were decidedly the better pair in the first game, starting with a 5-0 lead and maintaining the advantage throughout despite a good second half from the world champion pair. In the second though, it was the South Koreans who took the lead after a much closer battle and were comfortably leading at 11-6 and then 18-11 before the remarkable comeback from the Indians.
Their final opponents is yet to be decided but no matter who they play, there is very high chance that Satwik and Chirag can add a second Super 1000 title to their name. Another first for Indian badminton right there.
Kickoff: India take on Australia
The Indian men's football team begin their AFC Asian Cup against former champions Australia right now and you can join Sunaadh on our live blog here.
�� TEAM NEWS ��
◼️ Deepak Tangri starts
◼️ Manvir and Chhangte either side of Chhetri up front
◼️ 4-5-1#AsianCup2023 | #IndianFootball | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/yfnoN3q5j3- ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) January 13, 2024
FIH Olympic Qualifiers
The tournament is underway in Ranchi with Germany and Japan securing victories in their respective matches.
Pre-tournament favourites Germany produced a power-packed performance to defeat Chile 3-0 while Japan were made to toil hard by Czech Republic before they won the game 2-0.
Two more matches to follow with New Zealand taking on Italy at 5 pm and later involving hosts India who are up against the US. This match will begin at 7.30 pm IST.
Vijayveer Sidhu seals Olympic quota
Vijayveer Sidhu secured India's Paris Olympic quota spot, reaching the final of the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jakarta.
All he had to do was qualify for the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol final and he did so on fourth place with a score of 577. Four out of the six finalists were ineligible for quotas, which ensured India will have representation in the discipline. Later in the final, he won a silver medal.
Earlier in the day, there was another double podium to celebrate as Sift Kaur Samra and Ashi Chouksey won the silver and bronze medal in women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions. All three Indians in the fray had reached the final, veteran Anjum Moudgil being the third.
India already has the maximum available 2 Olympics quota in this discipline so there were no Paris berths on offer, but it was an encouraging performance from Sift and Ashi, who had done well at the Asian Games and will look to ensure they go for their first Olympics.
Bopanna-Ebden lose close final
Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Australian partner Matthew Ebden lost a very close final at the Adelaide International. The second seeded lost to third-seeded pairing of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury 5-7, 7-5, 9-11.
The world No 3 Indian had the early 3-0 lead but Ram-Salisbury fought back to take the first set that went the distance. Bopanna-Ebden then took the second with a similar margin to force a deciding Tiebreak, which went into extra time. Ultimately, it was not to be for the Indo-Australian pair but the final run has shown that they are picking up from where they left off in the prolific season last year.
What to look forward to today?
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be in action in the semifinals of the Malaysia Open Super 1000, taking on reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae - after 4 PM
Indian men's football team will begin their AFC Asian Cup campaign against Australia - 5 PM
The Indian women's hockey team will play the opening match of the Olympic Qualifiers against the USA in Ranchi - 7.30 PM
Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden play the men's doubles final of the Adelaide International - 9 AM
What happened yesterday?
Satwik-Chirag stormed into the semis of the Malaysia Open Super 1000.
Another double podium for Indian shooting at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jakarta.
Bopanna-Ebden reach the Adelaide International final.
Sumit Nagal qualified for the main draw of the Australian Open
Jaipur Pink Panthers secured a win over Telugu Titans; Puneri Paltan beat Gujarat Giants.
You can check all the details of yesterday's news events here