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Peru: A team of no stars aims to shine on biggest stage (Team Profile)
Lima, June 3 (IANS) Peru coach Ricardo Gareca has attributed his side’s fifth FIFA World Cup appearance to teamwork and adaptability rather than any individual flair.
The South American nation ended a 36-year World Cup drought by qualifying for Russia after finishing fifth in the South American group and then overcoming New Zealand in the intercontinental play-off, reports Xinhua news agency.
Chile, Ecuador and even Paraguay were initially considered more likely to take South America’s fifth spot in the World Cup. But in the end it went to a Peru side that conceded only seven goals in eight matches in 2017.
Peru will head to Russia with their talismanic captain Paolo Guerrero after almost missing him due to a doping ban. The 33-year-old, who has been capped 86 times by his country, scored six goals in qualifying.
His hopes of playing at the World Cup appeared to have been dashed by the doping ban, which was overturned after the captains of France, Denmark and Australia — the other teams in Group C — appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Gareca also left veteran striker Claudio Pizarro out of his World Cup squad. The 39-year-old had been touted as a possible replacement for Guerrero, but Watford’s Andre Carrillo and Lokomotiv Moscow’s Jefferson Farfan were picked to spearhead the attack instead.
Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and defender Alberto Rodriguez also made the cut despite still recovering from injuries. Both were key starters during the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Ironically, Gareca was responsible for denying Peru a place at the 1986 World Cup, scoring the goal that ended their qualification hopes while playing for his native Argentina.
Gareca was constantly reminded of that goal as soon as he arrived in Peru, but soon won fans over by restoring the possession-based short passing game that carried Peru to the quarter-finals of the 1970 tournament.
“We’re through to the World Cup now, so no one is saying anything about me owing them anymore! I’m being shown unconditional support and a lot of love,” Gareca said.
Although lacking in individual brilliance, Los Incas will be hoping their ability to adapt to different conditions serves them well in Russia. The players have already shown through qualifying that they can handle everything from the altitude of the Andean mountains to the heat of the Amazon jungle.
In the past, several Latin American teams with limited experience in international tournaments have been overawed, starting slowly and then waiting too late to show their best football. With this in mind, Peru are hoping to show their best form as quickly as possible.
“It’s a team not of stars, but rather of players who have earned their stripes, including some youngsters who maybe aren’t that well known but who’ve been really important,” Gareca noted.
“I’d highlight the fact that Peruvian footballers are technically sound, (physically) strong and adaptable. The Peruvian league is played in all possible conditions: at altitude, in hot temperatures and on both natural and artificial pitches. That ability to adapt will undoubtedly work in our favour in Russia.”
–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.
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