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2018 World Cup: Belgium ride Lukaku brace to blank Panama 3-0 (Lead)

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Sochi, June 18 (IANS) Belgium rode a second-half brace from Romelu Lukaku to blank Panama 3-0 in their Group G opener of the FIFA World Cup 2018 at the Fisht Stadium here on Monday.

After a barren first period, striker Lukaku scored in the 69th and 75th minute to ensure the victory after wide midfielder Dries Mertens drew first blood in the 47th minute.

The result means Belgium now have three points from one game while Panama are still to open their account. Belgium take on Tunisia next on June 23 while Panama face England the next day.

After a barren first period where minnows Panama looked to be punching above weight, it took Mertens two minutes into the second period to break the deadlock as the fleet-footed Napoli winger volleyed a crisp right footer from the edge of the box into the left corner.

Soon after the goal, Panama’s Michael Murillo then drew a smart low save from Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as Roman Torres headed wide of target moments later.

Edgar Barcenas also came close to equalising before Lukaku doubled the tally for Belgium with a powerful header from close after being teed up beautifully by Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

Six minutes later, the burly Lukaku got on the scoresheet once more, making the most of a quick counter attack that saw Eden Hazard set up the Manchester United marksman who bulged the centre of the net with a left footer.

It was all Belgium from there on as they controlled ball possession and the game although Panama did not relent and kept looking for options to break.

The impressive Fidel Escobar tried to pull one back for Panama towards the dying minutes of the half as their coach Gomez Hernan brought in Gabriel Torres and Ismael Diaz to increase their attacking options. In the end, they failed to score as Belgium logged full points.

Earlier, the first half was all about Panama’s tenacity as their little known defenders denied the star-studded Belgium team space.

Goalkeeper Jaime Penedo made three crucial saves to keep Roberto Martinez’s men at bay, the most vital being Hazard’s stinging right footed effort saved acrobatically by the 36-year old, diving low to his bottom right corner.

Hazard missed a few more chances and so did Mertens. Lukaku had fewer touches of the ball than the two goalkeepers to sum up Belgium’s misery inside the box.

Panama failed to register a single attempt on target.

–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

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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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