Ahmedabad down Hyderabad in PBL
New Delhi: Debutants Ahmedabad Smash Masters got the better of Hyderabad Hunters 4-3 in a Premier Badminton League (PBL) contest at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Friday.
The mixed doubles pair of Kamilla Ryter Juhl and Lee Reginald beat Satwiksairaj and Pia Zebadiah 4-15, 15-12, 15-8 to give Ahmedabad a 1-0 lead.
However, Lee Hyun II overcame Sourabh Verma 15-9, 15-11 to bring Hyderabad level 1-1.
Women's singles World No.1 Tai Tzu Ying then tamed Rasika Raje 15-5, 15-6 to make it 2-1 for the western outfit.
Ahmedabad's HS Prannoy extended his winning streak to nine matches in the PBL by beating Sai Praneeth 15-10, 15-8. It was Ahmedabad's 'Trump Match' and they got two points from the game, taking an unassailable 4-1 lead.
In the final game of the tie, men's doubles pair of Markis Kido and Yoo Yeong Seong won Hyderabad's 'Trump Match' against Kidambi Nandagopal and Lee Reginald 15-14, 15-11 as they bagged two consolation points.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Araijeet's four goals hand India 5th title in men's junior Asia Cup
Muscat, Dec 4: Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals as defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in the summit clash to win a hat-trick of titles in the men's junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.
This was India's fifth title in the continental tournament, having previously won the crown in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023.
The tournament was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Araijeet converted three penalty corners in the fourth, 18th and 54th minutes besides finding the net from a field effort in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th) was the other goal getter for India.
For Pakistan, Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners, while Hannan Shahid scored from field play in the third minute.
Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to claim the third spot earlier in the day.
There was hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as both India and Pakistan fought hard for ball possession in the first quarter.
The highlight of the first quarter was ariel passes employed by both the teams.
But Pakistan had the first laugh, striking as early as the third minute through a field goal from Shahid.
India didn't sit back and secured their first penalty corner seconds later, and Araijeet stepped up to draw level with a powerful drag-flick to the right of Pakistan goalkeeper.
India upped their game in the second quarter and secured their second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Araijeet struck again with another powerful flick.
A minute later, a fine field goal by Dilraj extended India's lead to 3-1.
Pakistan, however, reduced the margin in the 30th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
Pakistan were the better side on display after the change of ends and they drew level in the 39th minute through another penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
India secured their third penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Araijeet's effort was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.
Araijeet, however, was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net from a field effort seconds later to hand India the lead again.
India pressed hard on the Pakistan citadel in the final 10 minutes and secured a few more penalty corners and Araijeet found the net again from a fine variation to make the scoreline 5-3.
