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ISL: Goa itching to claw back against Pune (Preview)
Pune, Dec 10 (IANS) FC Pune City did well to register a win in their last Indian Super League clash but facing FC Goa will be an entirely different ball game at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Tuesday.
Pune have been a pale shadow of the team that made it to the play-offs last season, and despite a morale-boosting victory against Kerala Blasters FC in the previous clash, the hosts still have a battle on their hands to stay alive in the league.
Their chances of qualifying for the play-offs are hanging by a thread with eight points from 11 games and they now face a trial by fire against FC Goa.
“FC Goa were top scorers last season and the way they are set up to play, they score a lot of goals. They are an attacking team. We’ve to deal with their threat and at the same time, we have to pose a threat. Sometimes putting the other team on the backfoot is the best way to defend,” said Pune interim coach Pradyum Reddy.
Reddy should know how dangerous FC Goa can be. When he took over from Miguel Angel Portugal, FC Goa were the first team he faced and his side was clobbered 2-4 at Fatorda. It was a painful defeat, but since then, Pune have made some progress.
They will have to be wary of the rampaging Gaurs, particularly since their defence isn’t the tightest. They have faced the most shots on goal (197) and have kept only one clean sheet. And they have two of their left-backs unavailable, with Sahil Panwar suspended and Lalchhuanmawia sick.
The coach will want his forwards to find some much-needed form. Marcelinho, who scored the match winner against Kerala, has only two strikes to his name which is his poorest season by far in the ISL.
FC Goa return to action after 12 days and coach Sergio Lobera will expect a response from his side as they haven’t won their previous two games. They suffered a 2-1 defeat at home against Bengaluru FC which was followed by a dour goalless draw in Kolkata.
“The game (against Pune) won’t be easy by any stretch. They won their last match and will have confidence. We haven’t played for quite a while and for us, it is about getting back to our ways,” said assistant coach Jesus Tato.
Despite having played nine matches, which is at least one game less than all others, Goa are still in the top four with 17 points.
The good news is that Hugo Boumous and Mohamed Ali, who were suspended, are back in contention for a place in the starting line-up.
All eyes will be on star striker Ferran Corominas, who has eight goals this season, but hasn’t found the back of the net in over 250 minutes of football.
–IANS
gau/bg
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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.