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ISL: Mumbai aim for record run as Chennaiyin eye miracle (Preview)
Mumbai, Dec 5 (IANS) Mumbai City FC will look to continue with their winning ways as they take on a beleaguered Chennaiyin FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) game at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Thursday.
The Islanders are on a five-match unbeaten run, winning four games. If they manage to avoid defeat against Chennaiyin, it will be their best unbeaten run in the history of the league.
Much of that credit has to go to their mean defence, which has leaked in a mere two goals since conceding five against FC Goa.
Mumbai seemed to have turned their season around after the thumping in Goa and since then, have looked a different outfit altogether, especially with their foreign players stepping up to the plate.
“We have changed a lot of things compared to last season. We did not have a lot of time at the beginning of the season. We needed time to adjust. Now we have no excuses and we need to keep working and fighting for the three points,” said Mumbai coach Jorge Costa.
Paulo Machado continues to be the chief orchestrator for Costa’s side in midfield and Arnold Issoko’s direct running on the right flank has also caused a lot of trouble to the opposition defences.
Modou Sougou hasn’t been on the score-sheet since their 1-0 win in Chennai and Thursday’s game is an opportunity for him to increase his tally against Chennaiyin FC’s disjointed defence which has shipped in 19 goals.
Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory was also appreciative of their opponents. “I think they have a well-balanced team. I like Arnold, it’s very hard to shake him off the ball. (Matias) Mirabaje is great too but I think he’s been injured frequently. I also like the captain (Lucian Goian) but I think the strength of Mumbai lies in their teamwork. They don’t have any weak areas as such and are well-balanced,” said Gregory.
Chennaiyin FC have had a season to forget so far having managed just five points from their opening 10 games. They have eight matches to go and in coach Gregory’s words, they need a ‘miracle’ to make it into the top four.
“We’re a long way off from the play-offs and I think we need to win all the remaining eight games to even stand a chance of getting anywhere near the play-offs. But football being football, nothing is impossible. We need to win some points for our pride as I think we have performed nowhere to our standards this season,” expressed the Englishman.
The Marina Machans, however, wouldn’t want to throw in the towel as they want to prove a point or two. The players are certainly under pressure as the big names have failed to live up to the billing.
Jeje Lalpekhlua has endured his worst season in the ISL with no goals to show for his efforts. Jerry Lalrinzuala too has looked shaky at the back and hasn’t had the same impact when going forward.
Mohammed Rafi, the experienced striker, could possibly get a chance to start as Gregory would look to chop and change in order to arrest their slide.
–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.