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India lose to Argentina in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup opener (Lead)
Ipoh (Malaysia), March 3 (IANS) Argentina’s drag-flick star Gonzalo Peillat scored a hat-trick as India lost 2-3 to the 2016 Olympic champions in the opening match of the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here on Saturday.
Peillat scored in the 13th and 24th minutes to give the South Americans a 2-0 advantage but India cut the deficit, thanks to the brilliance of Rohidas, who converted two penalty corners in the 26th and 31st minutes.
Peillat again gave Argentina the lead in the 33rd minute but India failed came up with an equaliser to lose three points.
The 25-year-old Argentine proved to be the difference in a game in which India otherwise had plenty of opportunities.
It was a zestful start by India who looked to dominate the first quarter as their young forwards pushed the Argentine defenders to create space in the striking circle.
India made as many as four circle entries against Argentina’s two and it was Sumit Kumar’s burst into the baseline that gave Indian supporters hope of a first goal within 10 minutes of the match, but Argentine defenders were defiant.
Minutes later, a long ball assist to Talwinder Singh was picked up well but he couldn’t quite make an effective connect to put it past goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi.
Though India did well to limit Argentina’s shots on the goal, an infringement in the Indian circle helped Isidoro Ibarra earn Argentina the first penalty corner of the match. Peillat’s first attempt was blocked by first runner Rohidas, but the second one was superbly converted by Peillat, who fired to the right corner.
It was penalty corners that Argentina rallied on and it didn’t help India’s cause when they conceded another in the 24th minute. The mistake was yet again punished by Peillat as he broke no sweat to convert — this time hitting past Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak to the left corner.
Two minutes later, India won three back-to-back penalty corners and in the final one, Rohidas improvised on Ramandeep Singh’s injection, keeping low, finding the left pocket of the net to reduce the goal difference to one.
Coming into the third quarter, India struck early as forward Sumit Kumar was aggressive in the baseline to fetch India their fourth penalty corner of the match. Rohidas employed a similar flick to the first one to pull India level 2-2.
India’ joy, however, remained only for three minutes as Peillat completed his hat-trick, with substitute Indian goalkeeper Suraj Kerkera beaten by pace and power on to his right.
With the rain trickling down, along with the threat of lightning, the match was halted for nearly 45 minutes. After the game resumed, India fought hard to seek their equaliser. In the dying moments, Talwinder also had a chance to shoot from the right but he fired wide, as India lost by a goal.
Sjored Marijne-coached India will on Sunday take on England, who will look to bounce back after being outplayed 1-4 by Australia.
Dylan Wotherspoon, Blake Govers, Aaron Kleinschmidt and Lachie Sharp struck for Australia.
–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.