Champs Mohun Bagan thrash Punjab FC 3-1 in ISL
Kolkata (PTI): Mohun Bagan Super Giant kicked off their title defence with a 3-1 thrashing of Punjab FC in the Indian Super League, here on Saturday.
Following a delayed start, Mohun Bagan dominated the proceedings against the I-League promoted side and had a 2-0 cushion going into the halftime with goals from Jason Cummings (ninth) and Dimitri Petratos (34th).
After the changeover, Luka Majcen (53rd) pulled one back from a sloppy back pass by Glan Martins.
But it was not enough as Mohun Bagan pumped in another through India forward Manvir Singh (63rd) to start the season on an emphatic note.
Set up by India midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad, Cummings took a left-footed strike from the right side of the six-yard box to give the Mariners an early lead, which was doubled through Petratos, who utilised a pass from Liston Colaco before launching his left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.
Minutes after he was brought in as a replacement for Subhasish Bose, Manvir used a Petratos cross to shoot to the top left corner with his powerful right-footed strike.
The match was delayed by 35 minutes to avoid broadcasting issues as the first match of the day between Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC was interrupted due to bad weather.
To avoid a clash of telecast, the second match of the Saturday double-header was deferred by 35 minutes.
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India defeat Ireland by 116 runs, take unassailable 2-0 lead in Women's ODI series
Rajkot, Jan 12: India, riding on Jemimah Rodrigues' maiden century in 50-over cricket, defeated Ireland by 116 runs in the second Women's ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday.
Opting to bat, India amassed a mammoth 370 for 5 with skipper Smriti Mandhana (73), newcomer Pratika Rawal (67) and Harleen Deol (89) smashing half-centuries, while Jemimah cracked a 91-ball 102 against hapless Ireland bowlers.
In reply, Ireland keeper-batter Christina Coulter Reilly scored a fine 80 but her efforts were not enough with India spinner Deepti Sharma grabbing three wickets for 37 runs. Priya Mishra was the other successful India bowler taking two wickets.
Brief Scores:
India 370 for 5 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 73, Pratika Rawal 67, Harleen Deol 89, Jemimah Rodrigues 102; Orla Prendergast 2/75).
Ireland 254 for 7 in 50 overs (Sarah Forbes 38, Christina Coulter Reilly 80, Laura Delany 37; Deepti Sharma 3/37, Priya Mishra 2/53).
