Top News
Kenya thrash Chinese Taipei to enter Intercontinental Cup final
Mumbai, June 8 (IANS) Kenya thrashed Chinese Taipei 4-0 in the last group stage match at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Friday to qualify for the final of the Intercontinental Cup.
In order to qualify for the final, Kenya at least had to win this game with the margin of three goals and D. Odhiambo (52nd minute), J. Atudo (54th minute penalty, 89th) and T. Otieno (69th minute) made sure their team reaches the summit clash.
Kenya, who qualified for the final due to their superior goal difference and head-to-head record against New Zealand, will now face hosts India in the summit clash on Sunday.
Chinese Taipei started on a good note, trying to pass the ball around and Kenya, on the other hand, were forcing them wide towards the corner.
Several times in the first half, Chinese Taipei tried to put pressure on Kenya from the right flank but a strong defence from the Kenyan players denied any chances.
Changing their strategy, Kenya started counter attacking, playing with long balls and their opponents looked clueless in the final third for few minutes.
The last 10 minutes saw fierce attacking by Chinese Taipei. They created many chances in front of the goal, playing by keeping the ball on ground, but could not finish properly and as a result, both teams remained goalless.
The second half saw much more action as in the 50th minute, Chinese Taipei came close to score from the right flank but Chen slammed the pass from Wang straight to the keeper.
Just after that, Kenya regrouped and slammed two goals within a span of two minutes.
In the 52nd minute, D. Odhiambo scored through an assist from Ovella Ochieng. Ochieng delivered a corner into the centre of the box where an unmarked Odhiambo converted a beautiful goal.
After two minutes, Joackins Atudo scored through a penalty corner to make it 2-0 after a goalkeeping blunder. Yu Hung Chiu hit a goal-kick straight to the path of Otieno, who passed to Mutamba into the box. The striker took a touch to take the ball away from the onrushing goalie who crashed the forward down to gift his opponent a penalty.
Just after the twin goals, Kenya induced more energy to the field by playing aggressive game.
Needing one more goal to qualify for the final, Kenya stepped up to the occasion and slammed their third. In the 69th minute, Chinese Taipei’s goalkeeper once again did the blunder. Super sub Otieno chased a routine pass towards the goalkeeper and the latter made a complete mess out of it. The goalie missed the ball and Otieno slotted the ball home.
Trying to reduce the goal margin, a desperate Chinese Taipei started attacking. In the 81st minute, they got a chance as Chang Lun Lin played a wonderful lobbed through ball into the centre of the box where Ching Hsyan Chen tried to head but it went wide.
The regular efforts from Chinese Taipei players to score saw their defence opening up and Kenya’s Atudo scored his second goal of the match. After his initial effort was saved by the goalkeeper off a free kick from Omwenga, Atudo converted the rebound to close the issue.
–IANS
gau/pur/vd
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.