Top News
Chennaiyin FC held to goalless draw on AFC Cup debut
Colombo, March 6 (IANS) Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC played out a 0-0 draw with Sri Lanka’s Colombo FC in their AFC Cup debut in the 2019 edition’s qualifying playoff first leg at the Race Course Ground, here on Wednesday.
It was a closely contested affair with chances at a premium for both sides on a humid afternoon in Colombo.
The second leg of the qualifying playoff will be contested at The Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad on March 13 at 7:30 PM.
“It was a tough game as we had expected. We didn’t get the away goal we were hoping, but we kept a clean sheet. It’s all to play for in the second leg in one week’s time,” said Chennaiyin FC Head Coach John Gregory after the match.
Chennaiyin became the first ISL side to qualify for the AFC Cup after having won the 2017-18 ISL title. There were two changes to the Chennaiyin side that concluded their 2018-19 ISL campaign against FC Goa last week. Midfielder Germanpreet Singh came in for Australian Chris Herd who missed out due to illness, Francisco Fernandes replaced CK Vineeth who started from the bench.
After a tepid opening, the game’s first real chance fell to Chennaiyin’s Francis on the right, whose shot from distance following a chest-down from striker Jeje Lalpekhlua went just wide. Colombo midfielder Yapo Momas had a pop from outside the box shortly after, with Chennaiyin keeper Karanjit Singh scrambling.
Jeje held up play well upfront as Chennaiyin enjoyed majority of the possession in the first period. Francis and Isaac were willing outlets on the flanks with Raphael Augusto and Anirudh Thapa pulling the strings in midfield.
For Colombo, Mohamed Aakib led the line with Cameroonian Tagne Dimitri and Mohamad Fasal on the wings as Ivory Coast man Yapo Momas played behind the forward line.
With half hour gone, the referee called for a water break given the hot and humid conditions in Colombo. After that, Chennaiyin rode out a short spell of Colombo pressure and started building attacks of their own.
Both sides were unable to find the telling pass in the final third as the first half finished goalless.
The second half began much like the first as both teams found it difficult to get going. Thapa and Raphael continued to keep the ball in midfield, but the incisive pass in the final third was lacking.
Colombo made the first change of the afternoon just past the hour mark and Zarwan Johar replaced Afeel Mohamed in midfield.
With the last quarter of the match to go, Colombo drew a sharp save out of Karanjit with a fizzed in-cross from the left. The Chennaiyin custodian did well to parry it away from goal.
Chennaiyin made two quick changes shortly after as Thoi Singh and CK Vineeth replaced Isaac Vanmalsawma and Francis, respectively. Colombo also brought in Buddika Perera for Mohamed Aakib upfront.
Thoi’s and Vineeth’s introduction injected some urgency in the Chennaiyin forward line with half chances falling the substitutes’ way, but to no avail.
Dimitri then made a surging run on the right flank for Colombo with a minute of normal time left, his eventual shot looping just above Karanjit’s goal.
Striker Mohammed Rafi came on for Jeje in the final minutes as Chennaiyin pushed for the winner, but Colombo held on as it finished 0-0.
–IANS
dm/ajb/pcj
Top News
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.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
