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Belgium reaches World Cup knockout stage with 5-2 win over Tunisia (Lead)
Moscow, June 23 (IANS) Belgium forwards Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku scored two goals each to help their national team thrash Tunisia 5-2 on Saturday, advancing to the 2018 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
After beating Panama 3-0 in the Group G opening round on Monday, the Belgian side earned its second victory, qualifying for the round of 16 regardless of the result of their upcoming clash against England on June 28, reports Efe.
This defeat leaves Tunisia, which suffered a 2-1 loss against England on Monday, with almost no hope of reaching the last 16.
Belgium opened the scoring with an early goal in the sixth minute from a penalty converted by Hazard, while Lukaku doubled their lead 10 minutes later off an assist from Hazard.
After just two minutes, Tunisia responded with a goal from Dylan Bronn, and the North African team dominated the game for almost 20 minutes but had no luck finding the equaliser.
Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul hwas forced to make two changes due to the injury of starters Dylan Bronn and Syam Ben Youssef in the 24th and 40th minutes respectively, with the latter leaving the field on a stretcher.
Bronn was replaced by Hamdi Nagguez, while Ben Youssef was replaced by Yohan Benalouane.
In the last minute of the first half, Lukaku netted the third goal for Belgium, tying Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for the top scorer of the 2018 World Cup with four goals.
Lukaku has also become Belgium’s all-time World Cup scorer with seven goals, one more than midfielder Jan Ceulemans.
Hazard added his team’s fourth goal just six minutes into the second half.
Michy Batshuayi-Atunga drove home Belgium’s win with the final goal in the 90th minute, while Wahbi Khazri scored the Tunisia’s second goal in stoppage time.
Belgium leads Group G with six points, three points ahead of second-placed England, while Panama and Tunisia are third and fourth with zero points.
–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.