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We will be under pressure at home against Pune: BFC coach Roca

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Bengaluru, March 10 (IANS) Bengaluru FC head coach Albert Roca on Saturday admitted that his team will be under pressure as they are playing at home and “have it in their hands” to enter the Indian Super League (ISL) final when they take on FC Pune City in the semi-final second leg here on Sunday.

“If I tell you something different, I will not tell you the truth. It’s obvious that we have that pressure. But we have to accept it because this is a human emotion and something that we can experience,” Roca told reporters on the eve of the marquee clash.

Both teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Wednesday.

“But these boys have played big games before. We have players who have played AFC Cup semifinals, finals, Federation Cup finals. The intention is to go out there and do our best,” Roca said.

“We have to accept the reality and then go ahead and try to do our best. When we finished first, it was not the end of the season. Now it’s in our hands to win. We have to accept the challenge,” the Spaniard added.

Bengaluru will start hot favourites owing to their imperious form leading up to the semis. The ISL debutants are on a nine-game unbeaten run, winning seven of those. They finished with 40 points in the league stages, eight ahead of second-placed Chennaiyin FC.

Asked about the first leg, Roca said the aim was to get a cleansheet on the road with the new ‘away goal’ rule introduced in the ISL.

“Pune has a very good team and players that can make a difference in attack. We wanted to get a clean sheet in Pune. It could give us more options. We wanted to score we were not so good.

“I hope my team can play a good game tomorrow and score some goals. I think they can score as they have a very good team. We have to be aware but at the same time be ambitious and consistent,” the 55-year old opined.

Meanwhile, Pune will be without their head coach Ranko Popovic who was suspended by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee for his comments against referees and match officials.

Assistant coach Vladica Grujic said they know how good a side Bengaluru are but the game on Sunday is one they cannot afford to let go as they have to win it.

“We are coming here to win this game. We don’t have another option,” Grujic said at the pre match media conference.

“We know how strong Bengaluru are but we want to win this game desperately. We know our strong points. We know how strong players they have. We want to do our things and give our best,” he added.

The last time the two sides met at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here, it was a 1-1 draw. Pune finished fourth in the points table having 30 points from 18 outings.

–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

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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.

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