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Aizawl beat Gokulam in I-League clash (Lead)
Aizawl, March 2 (IANS) Defending champions Aizawl FC humbled in-form Gokulam FC 3-1 to end their I-League campaign on a high here on Friday.
Mahmood Al Ajmi (25th minute) calmly converted a penalty kick to give Gokulam the lead.
But Leonce Dodoz (59th, 74th) struck twice to put the hosts in command and Lalkhawpuimawia (78th) blasted the back of the net to seal the fate of the match.
Aizawl thus finished their campaign at the fifth place with 24 points from 18 matches.
Seventh placed Gokulam, who have garnered 20 points from 17 matches, will play their final game of the season when they host Mohun Bagan on March 6.
The home side made three changes as coach Santosh Kashyap handed goalkeeper Lalawmpuia his first start of the season. Masih Saighani and Albert replaced Lalthathanga Khawlhring and Albert Zohmingmawia.
With Aizawl sticking to a 3-5-2 formation, Lalkhawpuimawia and Leonce Dodoz led the forward line.
Gokulam coach Bino George made only one change from their last game as Kivi Zhimoni made way for Salman K. Henry Kisseka and K. Salman led the forward line supported by former Bahrain midfield maestro Mahmood Al Ajmi.
Dodoz was presented with the first chance of the match but the forward was denied by an excellent save by Gokulam goalkeeper Bilal Khan.
Gokulam returned the favour a few minutes later when Mohammad Rashid’s long ranger was thwarted by Lalawmpuia. The visitors started to dominate the proceedings and they were unlucky as Arjun Jayaraj’s curling effort flew just wide of the target.
Gokulam were awarded a penalty when Henry Kissekka’s shot from inside the box struck Lalchawnkima’s arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Al Ajmi stepped up and made no mistake, scoring his third goal of the season.
Alfred Jaryan had a wonderful chance to level the scores for Aizawl after he was released by Andrei Ionescu’s killer pass but the winger could not find the back of the net as goalkeeper Bilal stood firm.
At the hour-mark, Bilal was in the receiving end when he slipped Alfred’s cross a few minutes later which fell to Dodoz and the striker found the back of the net from close range.
The goal proved to be vital as Aizawl retrieved the rhythm in their game.
Bino Geroge introduced Naga striker Kivi Zhimomi in place of Al Ajmi but it was the home side who went all guns blazing.
Dodoz skipped past Rashid and wrong-footed the goalkeeper to rattle the net once again in the 74th minute.
Aizawl scored their third goal four minutes later when Khawlhring Lalthathanga’s corner was weakly fisted away by Bilal before it fell right in the path of Lalkhawpuimawia who hammered the ball past the Gokulam defenders to notch up his third goal of the season.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.