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In the world of football, following a late equaliser for Liverpool against Luton Town in the Premier League, Luis Diaz shared a message in solidarity with his father, who has been kidnapped in Colombia a few days ago. Max Verstappen won his 17th race of the F1 season at the Interlagos in Brazil to extend his lead at the top of the Driver’s Championship. India women’s hockey team won the Asian Champions Trophy for the second time after defeating Japan 4-0 in Ranchi.
Read below to learn details about these top stories and other happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Football
Luis Diaz lifts his shirt to show “freedom for papa” message after scoring late equaliser for Liverpool
After coming off the bench, Luis Diaz scored the equaliser for Liverpool in the 90+5’ against Luton Town at the Kenilworth Road in the Premier League, he lifted his shirt to show “freedom for papa” message, in solidarity with his father who got kidnapped in Colombia a few days ago. A statement was released on behalf of Luis Diaz about his kidnapped father after 1-1 draw, the excerpts of which had the Colombian quoted as saying, “I beg that they free him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait. In the name of love and compassion we ask they reconsider their actions and allow us to have him back.”
Brain Injury Association Headway’s official comments on Harry Maguire’s injury
During the 1-0 victory for Manchester United against Fulham at the Craven Cottage in the Premier League, Harry Maguire collided head first with the shoulder of Rodrigo Muniz, suffering a cut above his eye and feeling dazed at the same time, which led to medical staff assessing him before allowing him to continue playing. In the aftermath of the accidental injury, Luke Griggs, the Chief Executive of Headway, the Brain Injury Association said, “We are not privy to the discussions with his medical team, nor should their professionalism be questioned. This is an issue with the very culture of football and its stubborn refusal to put players' health above all else - including the result of a game.”
Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City players to “be angry” for lack of game time
The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola wants his players to “be angry” for getting left out of the starting lineup after Jeremy Doku scored a goal and delivered four assists against Bournemouth in a 6-1 win at the Etihad Stadium, as a replacement for Jack Grealish. He was quoted as saying, “I want Jack (Grealish) angry and I want him to play good. And then (Jeremy) Doku, be angry that he hasn't played the last two games. This is the way to maintain the consistency at that level.”
Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto to not get contract extension from Barcelona: Reports
Barcelona have reportedly decided to not extend the contracts of the defenders Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto, who had renewed their deals for only one season but with an optional year. As per the report from the Sport in Spain, the final assessment about the contract situation of both these players will be done by Barcelona after the closing of the January transfer window.
Some major results in football are as under:
Premier League 2023-24
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Aston Villa
Luton Town 1-1 Liverpool
La Liga 2023-24
Real Madrid 0-0 Rayo Vallecano
Valencia 1-0 Granada
Villareal 2-3 Athletic Bilbao
Bundesliga 2023-24
VfL Wolfsburg 2-2 Werder Bremen
FC Heidenheim 2-0 VfB Stuttgart
Serie A 2023-24
Roma 2-1 Lecce
Fiorentina 0-1 Juventus
Ligue 1 2023-24
Monaco 2-0 Brest
Lyon 1-1 Metz
Nice 2-0 Rennes
Erdevisie 2023-24
Ajax 4-1 SC Heerenveen
Saudi Pro League 2023-24
Al-Ahli 3-0 Al-Riyadh
F1
Max Verstappen wins 17th race of 2023 F1 season in Sao Paulo
The reigning, defending F1 world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured his 17th race win of the 2023 season at the Interlagos in Sao Paulo after taking down the challenge from Lando Norris of McLaren in the opening laps. The British-Belgian managed to finish in second place, while the veteran Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin secured the final podium position after passing Sergio Perez on the final lap of the race.
Tennis
Novak Djokovic secures 40th ATP Masters 1000 title in Paris
The world number one men’s tennis player Novak Djokovic from Serbia has secured his 40th ATP Masters 1000 title, which is also his record extending seventh trophy win in Paris. The 36-year-old took down the challenge of the unseeded Russian Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 to take home his sixth title of the 2023 season, which includes three Grand Slam titles.
Iga Swiatek reaches final of WTA Finals in Cancun
The Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek has reached the final of the season ending WTA Finals in 2023 after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus by 6-3, 6-2. The 22-year-old, who was upstaged a couple of months ago from the world number one rankings in women’s tennis after 75 consecutive weeks of supremacy, could end a second successive season as number one if she beats Jessica Pegula of USA in the final.
Hockey
Indian women’s hockey team clinches Asian Champions Trophy after defeating Japan by 4-0
Indian women’s hockey team has gotten the better of Japan by 4-0 to clinch the Asian Champions Trophy at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. The local girl Sangita Kumari opened the scoring in the 17th minute, before Neha Goyal (46th), Lalremsiami (57th), and Vandana Katariya (60th) found the back of the net in the fourth quarter to help the Women in Blue bring home the title for the second time in history.
Indian women’s hockey team gets drawn with Germany and USA in FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024
India women’s hockey team are set to compete against Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Chile, the USA, Italy, and the Czech Republic in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 in Ranchi from January 13 to 19. This qualifying tournament is going to ensure that three teams make the cut for the Paris Olympics 2024, while another one in Valencia will determine three other teams for the quadrennial spectacle.
