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Here are all the key updates from December 14, Thursday:
Kerala Blasters beat Punjab 1-0
In the absence of their star man Adiran Luna, Kerala Blasters beat Punjab FC 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, thanks to Dimitrios Diamantakos's penalty early in the second half.
In what was mostly a drab game, the Blasters fully merited their win, having restricted their opponents to having no shots on target. They remain second in the ISL standings, level on points with FC Goa, but have played two games more than Manolo Marquez's side.
Hockey: India lose 1-4 to Germany
India now will play in the third place playoff on Saturday
4th Quarter: A Florian Sperling goal, a gentle chip over a prone goalkeeper, was the icing on the cake for Germany as they beat India (comfortably, in the end) to advance to the final of the FIH men's junior World Cup. Even though they didn't have much possession during the game, Germany were at their efficient best: scoring 2 field goals on counter attacks and converting the only two Penalty Corners they won in the game. On the other hand, India could not even seriously threaten Joshua Onyekwue in the German goal off any of their twelve (12!) penalty corners. This lack of efficiency in converting was compounded by their inability to make the most of their dominance in open play either. Germany had a green card in each of the last three quarters of the game, but India couldn't make that ill-discipline pay.
3rd Quarter: Germany won their second PC, Germany converted their second PC. Sometimes, hockey's that simple. Paul Glander smacked a dragflick which beat the keeper and deflected in off the defender on the line. India won another PC (their 11th) and played through a period where Hasbach was sitting out with a green card, but couldn't really trouble Joshua Onyekwue in the German goal.
2nd Quarter: Ben Hasbach converted off of Germany's first penalty corner of the match to give them a slim lead going into half time after a messy routine where the first dragflick was saved but Hasbach smacked it in off the rebound. India continued to play most of the hockey, but Germany's efficiency in the forward line was once again underlined. This attribute remains key to German hockey teams -- including the senior team that won the World Cup at the start of this year. In sharp contrast, India had ten PCs and didnt come close to converting any of them.
Talking to the broadcasters during the break, the German coach sounded pretty displeased with his team's performance, saying that if his team didn't improve India would score quite a few in the second half.
1st Quarter: Germany led India 1-0 in the FIH men's junior World Cup semifinal after a flowing attacking move was finished by Ben Hasbach. The goal, though, had come against the run of play as India had been putting the German defence under extreme pressure. With four minutes and forty seconds to go in the first quarter, it paid off. Sudeep Chirmako equalised with a superb tomahawk finish after more fast-passing in the Indian midfield.
IWL: Gokulam Kerala beat HOPS
A first half injury time Anju Tamang goal was enough for defending champions Gokulam Kerala to get their first win of the IWL season (after drawing 0-0 vs Sethu FC) at HOPS FC. The goal came from a move started by Anju herself, picking up the ball in the centre circle and sweeping a first time ball out to the left wing before racing into the box and heading in a looping header straight over the goalkeeper.
Bengaluru FC name Gerard Zaragoza as new Head Coach
Bengaluru FC has announced the replacement of Simon Grayson, bringing back a familiar face in Gerard Zaragoza, BFC's former assistant coach (to Carles Cuadrat) when they won ISL back in 2019.
The Spaniard has signed on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season. Argentinian Sebastian Vega, who was part of Zaragoza's backroom staff at Khor Fakkan, Al-Ahli and Panserraikos, has been named assistant coach.
The 41-year-old Zaragoza has had stints at Greek side Panserraikos and, most recently, Emirati UAE Pro League side Khor Fakkan Club, where he was named Manager of the Week on two occasions.
Vamos, Jefe! ����
Bengaluru FC have appointed Spanish tactician Gerard Zaragoza, part of the Blues' ISL-winning squad, as Head Coach on a deal that runs through till the end of the 2024-25 campaign. ✍️#WelcomeGerard #WeAreBFC #Santhoshakke �� pic.twitter.com/DJrIZAta7U
- Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) December 14, 2023
A former youth footballer himself, Zaragoza managed the Catalonia U14s and U16s and was also part of the Aspire Academy's Qatari branch in 2010. In 2011, he was named Head Coach of RCD Espanyol's Cadete squad. The Spaniard moved to Erovnuli Liga 2 side Locomotive Tbilisi in 2012, achieving promotion to Liga 1 the following year. Following multiple stints in Georgia and Qatar, Zaragoza was named Assistant Coach to Carles Cuadrat in Bengaluru FC's title-winning squad of 2018-19. At the end of the season, he took the position of Head Coach at Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai FC's U21s, eventually going on to manage the First Team. Zaragoza managed Al-Ahli to a quarterfinal finish in the AFC Champions League.
India win toss and bat, Jemimah, Renuka, Shubha debut
Follow the ball-by-ball commentary from India vs England Women's Test that started today at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
What's in store today?
India face Germany in the semifinals of the Junior Hockey World Cup which starts at 3:30 pm. India's juniors have lost all four times they have faced Germany this year, although spirits are high after a comeback win over Netherlands in the quarterfinal.
The Indian women's cricket team are in action in a rare home test match, and they face England at the DY Patil Ground in Navi Mumbai, with action beginning at 9:30 am.
The Indian men's cricket team are also in action later in the day, as they face South Africa in the 3rd T20I, beginning at 8:30 pm.
Kerala Blasters are away to Punjab FC in Indian Super League action, with the hosts yet to win in nine games, while the Blasters are flying high in second place.
In the Indian Women's League, defending champions Gokulam Kerala FC travel to New Delhi to play HOPS FC at 1 pm.
What happened yesterday?
Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, becoming the first Asian men to do so.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy - Chirag Shetty's heroics this year did not go unnoticed, with the pair nominated for the Khel Ratna, Cricket star Mohammed Shami was also one of those nominated for the Arjuna Award
The last day of the Bengaluru leg in the PKL saw two thrillers as Tamil Thalaivas beat Telugu Titans (38-36) while Bengaluru Bulls beak Jaipur Pink Panthers (32-30)
Bengaluru FC, who parted ways with manager Simon Grayson earlier this week, fell to another defeat away to Chennaiyin FC by a 0-2 scoreline.
You can check all the details of yesterday's news events here.