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Late Mohammedan comeback nearly end East Bengal’s title hopes
Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS) Mohammedan Sporting Club virtually buried defending champions East Bengal’s title hopes in the ongoing Calcutta Premier Division ‘A’ league following a 2-1 win at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Tuesday.
Mohammedan SC scored twice late in the second half through substitute Adjah Philip Tetteh (87th, 90+4 minutes) to make Johnny Acosta’s opener (12th) count for little.
The result saw Mohammedan SC climb to the fourth spot in the league standings with 16 points from 8 matches. They will next take on Tollygunge Agragami on Saturday at the Barasat Stadium.
This is the second consecutive defeat for East Bengal. Peerless SC had upstaged them by a 2-1 margin in their last match.
East Bengal are now at the second spot in the 12-team table with 20 points from 10 matches. Their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan are at the top of the standings with 23 points from nine matches.
East Bengal face a must-win situation in their last match of the tournament against Food Corporation of India (FCI) on September 18. The defending champions have built up a fantastic record in the league in recent years, having won eight consecutive titles, starting from the 2010 season.
With two matches and a three-point lead in hand, Mohun Bagan are now the favourites to win their first local league title since 2009.
However, third-placed Peerless SC, who have given a stiff challenge to the two Kolkata giants this season, also have a slim chance of winning their first ever title. But for that to happen, Peerless, who have 19 points in their kitty, will need to win their remaining two matches and hope for a slip up by Mohun Bagan.
Mohammedan SC began Tuesday’s game in attacking mode and created the first close chance in the first minute itself. Princewill Emeka did well to cut in past a couple of defenders from the left but his powerful drive sailed inches over the horizontal.
While East Bengal pressed high up, they managed to take the lead against the run of the play at the other end. Acosta capitalised on a defensive error to beat Mohammedan SC custodian Arup Debnath from close range.
Having conceded early on, Mohammedan SC began attacking with intensity through Dipendu Dowary, Rahul K.P. and Princewill, but East Bengal managed to hold on by defending deep in their own half.
The second half was a similar story as Mohammedan SC dominated majority of the proceedings and almost camped in the rival half. While they pushed up front, close chances fell for Prosenjit Chakraborty, Laltu Hembram, Princewill and Dipendu but the they lacked the killer finish in the final third.
Technical Director Raghu Nandi brought on Adjah in place of Princewill in the 73rd minute as Mohammedan SC made a tactical change in their quest for the equaliser.
Mohammedan SC’s persistence finally paid off in the 87th minute when Adjah scored a brilliant solo goal to make it 1-1.
Having equalised, Mohammedan SC increased their pressure and attacked the rival goal ferociously going close on a few occasions. Mohammedan SC’s pressure yielded another goal as Adjah scored yet again in a spectacular fashion to ensure the full three points for his team.
–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.