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Chhetri hat-trick fires Bengaluru to ISL final with 3-1 win over Pune

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7 years ago

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By Debayan Mukherjee
Bengaluru, March 11 (IANS) Skipper Sunil Chhetri scored a hat-trick to guide debutants Bengaluru FC to the final of the Indian Super League (ISL) with a 3-1 victory over FC Pune City in their semi-final second leg tie here on Sunday.

With the first leg ending in a goalless draw, both teams had everything to play for at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Chhetri first headed in Kumam Udanta Singh’s cross in the 15th minute and then converted from the spot with a superb ‘Panenka’ kick in the 65th minute.

His third goal came after substitute Jonatan Lucca curled in a delectable free kick in the 82nd minute to give Pune a chance of a comeback.

Seven minutes later, Chhetri made a solo run and slammed the ball past Pune goalkeeper Vishal Kaith at the far post to help his side reach the summit in its first year of ISL.

Bengaluru will either take on FC Goa or Chennaiyin FC in the final on March 17 here. Goa and Chennaiyin played out a 1-1 draw in their first leg. The return leg is on Tuesday in Chennai.

Chhetri was dangerous from the outset. The hosts should have taken the lead just three minutes into the game had Chhetri not side netted Udanta’s sublime cross from the left.

The visitors got an opportunity two minutes later when Brazilian midfielder Diego Carlos’ deflected effort forced home keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu into a good save scampering backwards.

From the resultant corner, left-back Sahil Panwar shot over after being set up by Uruguayan Emiliano Alfaro.

For Bengaluru, who have just lost twice at home leaking only six goals, Udanta looked sharp and his pacy runs kept Panwar on tenterhooks.

The visitors looked good in possession and from one such move in-form Austrian midfielder Marko Stankovic got space on the edge of the box and tested Gurpreet, but the India No.1 custodian clawed the ball away for a corner.

Bengaluru took the lead moments later. Udanta capitalised on a failed clearance in the centre and picked out Chhetri who slalomed past a few Pune defenders to return the ball back to Udanta. The young winger then crossed for his captain who was unmarked and headed in past Kaith with the ball ballooning over the keeper and nestling into the net.

Marcelinho came close to equalising after being teed up by Alfaro but the Brazilian shot across the face of the goal.

Pune were getting frustrated as Bengaluru refused to take their foot off the gas. Carlos seemed the worst affected, showing poor sportsmanship in arguing with the referee despite being at fault for a rash tackle on Udanta near the touchline. Already on a booking, the 29-year-old was lucky to have not been sent off.

Chhetri got two more chances to extend his and the team’s tally. First, visiting keeper Kaith got to the ball earlier from a one-on-one situation and then Chhetri headed just wide from a corner four minutes to halftime.

After the break, Pune coach Ranko Popovic drafted in Sarthak Golui in place of Panwar who was clearly not in his elements. Golui knew little then that he would cost his side a second goal, pushing Chhetri inside the area to give away a penalty five minutes after the hour-mark.

Chhetri stamped his class from the spot, clipping the ball delicately past Kaith.

Rahul Bheke could have put the match to bed three minutes later but his shot came off the woodwork before Chhetri brought out a good save from Kaith as Bengaluru looked in total control.

Lucca scored a goal to give hopes to the Pune camp but Chhetri put the match beyond doubt with a third on the night, taking his tally to 13 goals this season and sending the 24,214 strong crowd into raptures.

(Debayan Mukherjee can be contacted at [email protected])

–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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3 months ago

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September 3, 2024

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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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