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#Indian #sports #wrap #April #Russia #puts #India #U17 #womens #friendly">Indian sports wrap, April 14: Russia puts three past India in U-17 women’s friendly Football
India Under-17 women’s team loses 0-3 to Russia in friendly
India U17 women’s team suffered a 0-3 defeat against Russia in the second of its three friendly matches in Sochi on Tuesday.
Valeria Menyailova struck twice early in the second half (49th, 52nd) after Sofia Svyatnaya (18th) had opened the scoring.
The Young Tigresses, coached by Italian Pamela Conti, are using these matches to prepare for next month’s all-important AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup in China.
Russia began on the front foot and nearly went ahead as early as the second minute. Menyailova was played through inside the box and showed neat footwork to get past Divyani Linda, but her close-range effort was denied by a sharp save from goalkeeper Munni.
India, however, took time to settle into the contest. Its first shot on target arrived in the 13th minute when Valaina Fernandes tried her luck from distance, but it was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Emelianova Anastasiya.
Despite India’s growing involvement, Russia broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through an unfortunate error. Sofia Svyatnaya floated in a free-kick from the left that should have been a routine take for Munni, but the goalkeeper misjudged the flight, allowing the ball to slip and roll over the line.
The setback sparked a response from the Young Tigresses, who began to push higher up the pitch and create openings. Their best opportunity of the half came in the 32nd minute when Valaina skipped past her marker and aimed a curling effort towards the far corner.
Emelianova, however, reacted swiftly to dive and parry the ball away, preserving Russia’s lead going into the break.
India’s hopes of a comeback were dented early in the second half following a defensive lapse. In the 49th minute, a sequence of poor backpasses proved costly. Ritu Badaik initiated the move under pressure, and captain Elizabed Lakra’s attempted clearance only made matters worse. Menyailova capitalised, intercepting the loose ball before rounding Munni and finishing calmly to double Russia’s advantage.
The hosts extended their lead soon after with a well-worked move in the 52nd minute. Mira Kuznetsova threaded a precise through pass to Menyailova, who made no mistake in front of goal, dispatching a powerful right-footed strike to make it 3-0.
India had lost 0-4 in the first game against Russia three days ago. The two teams will meet once more in the final friendly on April 17.
-PTI
Published on Apr 14, 2026
FootballIndia Under-17 women’s team loses 0-3 to Russia in friendlyIndia U17 women’s team suffered a…
Sports news
#Indian #sports #wrap #April #Kochis #Kalina #Rangers #win #maiden #Red #Bull #Score #National #Championship">Indian sports wrap, April 13: Kochi’s Kalina Rangers win maiden Red Bull Four 2 Score National Championship
FOOTBALL
Kalina Rangers reign supreme in 4v4 national football championship
Team Kalina Rangers from Kochi scripted history as it clinched the maiden Red Bull Four 2 Score National Championship in Coimbatore on Saturday.
Kalina Rangers, which beat crowd favourite MRFC A via a sudden-death goal by Tyson Patel in the final, now has a chance to represent India at the World Finals in Canada later this year.
The team comprises a tight-knit group of friends represented by Craig Dsouza, Scott Moraes, Tyson, Clinton Dsouza and Faheez Mohammed.
“We are ecstatic about the win at the Red Bull Four 2 Score India Finals, after putting in the hard work and beating the top teams in the country. But now, the focus shifts to the World Finals in Canada. We are going there to win and not just to participate,” Moraes said.
“I used to play a lot of futsal at the start of my footballing career. There is more quickness involved in this game. Red Bull Four 2 Score gives a great platform to young grassroots stars to showcase their talent. I congratulate Kalinga Rangers on winning their maiden Red Bull Four 2 Score tournament,” Indian footballer Vikram Partap Singh, who was present on the occasion, said.
Red Bull Four 2 Score is played in the 4v4 format over 10 minutes, with no breaks and goalkeepers. Moreover, goals scored in the first and last minutes of the contest count as double. Tiebreakers are settled with one player from each team going head-to-head, trying to outsmart the other to score the winning goal.
-Team Sportstar
TENNIS
Puneeth M shines at ITF Asia U-14 Championships
Puneeth M capped off a remarkable campaign at the ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championship Finals in Colombo by winning the singles championship in the first week of the tournament before finishing as the doubles runner-up in the following week.
Puneeth has qualified for the 14 & Under Wimbledon tournament and has earned a spot on the ITF Asian 14 & Under Touring Team.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Puneeth has qualified for the 14 & Under Wimbledon tournament and has earned a spot on the ITF Asian 14 & Under Touring Team.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
As a consequence, Puneeth has qualified for the 14 & Under Wimbledon tournament and has earned a spot on the ITF Asian 14 & Under Touring Team, which will compete across Europe later this year.
In the singles final, Puneeth defeated Hong Kong’s Him Wong to clinch the title, a win that helped India finish on top of the overall standings. Puneeth, a Roundglass Tennis Academy athlete, currently holds the All-India No. 1 rank in the AITA Boys Under-14 standings.
-Team Sportstar
Sumit Nagal crashes out of BMW Open
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal, on Monday, crashed out in the first round of the ATP 500 BMW Open being held in Munich.
He lost 2-6, 2-6 against world no. 19 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.
-Team Sportstar
PICKLEBALL
Dhiren Patel, Arjun Singh secure golds for India at the US Open Pickleball Championship 2026
Arjun Singh added another gold to his kitty, winning the men’s singles 5.0 at the US Open, beating Ashton Patterson in straight sets 13-11, 11-6.
Seasoned stalwart Dhiren Patel added another US Open gold medal to his tally, also adding to India’s total in the 40+ Pro Men’s Singles category.
This brings India’s total medal tally to three gold medals at the tournament held in Naples, Florida.
Dhiren was stretched to the absolute limit by Juan Arraya in the finals, with the gold medal decided by the barest of margins. He won 11-9, 3-11,11-9 to finally take home the coveted 40+ Pro men’s singles championship.
-Team Sportstar
Published on Apr 13, 2026
Puneeth has qualified for the 14 & Under Wimbledon tournament and has earned a spot on the ITF Asian 14 & Under Touring Team. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Puneeth has qualified for the 14 & Under Wimbledon tournament and has earned a spot on the ITF Asian 14 & Under Touring Team. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
FOOTBALL
Kalina Rangers reign supreme in 4v4 national football championship
Team Kalina Rangers from Kochi scripted history as it clinched the maiden Red Bull Four 2 Score National Championship in Coimbatore on Saturday.
Kalina Rangers, which beat crowd favourite MRFC A via a sudden-death goal by Tyson Patel in the final, now has a chance to represent India at the World Finals in Canada later this year.
The team comprises a tight-knit group of friends represented by Craig Dsouza, Scott Moraes, Tyson, Clinton Dsouza and Faheez Mohammed.
“We are ecstatic about the win at the Red Bull Four 2 Score India Finals, after putting in the hard work and beating the top teams in the country. But now, the focus shifts to the World Finals in Canada. We are going there to win and not just to participate,” Moraes said.
“I used to play a lot of futsal at the start of my footballing career. There is more quickness involved in this game. Red Bull Four 2 Score gives a great platform to young grassroots stars to showcase their talent. I congratulate Kalinga Rangers on winning their maiden Red Bull Four 2 Score tournament,” Indian footballer Vikram Partap Singh, who was present on the occasion, said.
Red Bull Four 2 Score is played in the 4v4 format over 10 minutes, with no breaks and goalkeepers. Moreover, goals scored in the first and last minutes of the contest count as double. Tiebreakers are settled with one player from each team going head-to-head, trying to outsmart the other to score the winning goal.
-Team Sportstar
TENNIS
Puneeth M shines at ITF Asia U-14 Championships
Puneeth M capped off a remarkable campaign at the ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championship Finals in Colombo by winning the singles championship in the first week of the tournament before finishing as the doubles runner-up in the following week.
Puneeth has qualified for the 14 & Under Wimbledon tournament and has earned a spot on the ITF Asian 14 & Under Touring Team. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Puneeth has qualified for the 14 & Under Wimbledon tournament and has earned a spot on the ITF Asian 14 & Under Touring Team. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
As a consequence, Puneeth has qualified for the 14 & Under Wimbledon tournament and has earned a spot on the ITF Asian 14 & Under Touring Team, which will compete across Europe later this year.
In the singles final, Puneeth defeated Hong Kong’s Him Wong to clinch the title, a win that helped India finish on top of the overall standings. Puneeth, a Roundglass Tennis Academy athlete, currently holds the All-India No. 1 rank in the AITA Boys Under-14 standings.
-Team Sportstar
Sumit Nagal crashes out of BMW Open
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal, on Monday, crashed out in the first round of the ATP 500 BMW Open being held in Munich.
He lost 2-6, 2-6 against world no. 19 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.
-Team Sportstar
PICKLEBALL
Dhiren Patel, Arjun Singh secure golds for India at the US Open Pickleball Championship 2026
Arjun Singh added another gold to his kitty, winning the men’s singles 5.0 at the US Open, beating Ashton Patterson in straight sets 13-11, 11-6.
Seasoned stalwart Dhiren Patel added another US Open gold medal to his tally, also adding to India’s total in the 40+ Pro Men’s Singles category.
This brings India’s total medal tally to three gold medals at the tournament held in Naples, Florida.
Dhiren was stretched to the absolute limit by Juan Arraya in the finals, with the gold medal decided by the barest of margins. He won 11-9, 3-11,11-9 to finally take home the coveted 40+ Pro men’s singles championship.
-Team Sportstar
Published on Apr 13, 2026
FOOTBALLKalina Rangers reign supreme in 4v4 national football championshipTeam Kalina Rangers from Kochi scripted history…