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Europa League: Villarreal in scoreless draw against Vienna
Vienna, Nov 9 (IANS) Villarreal played out a 0-0 draw against Rapid Vienna in a Europa League group stage match in which the Spanish club seemed lost on attack but put up a solid wall defensively.
Both teams had excellent scoring chances at the Allianz Stadion here on Thursday night, with Villarreal nearly taking the lead in the 15th minute on a shot by Alfonso Pedraza that ricocheted off a defender and over the crossbar, reports Efe.
A few minutes later, Italian forward Nicola Sansone failed to convert in a one-on-one opportunity against Vienna goalkeeper Richard Strebinger.
Although Villarreal seemed in control and on the verge of scoring against a Rapid side that seemed out-of-sorts defensively, the inconsistency that has plagued the team this season reared its head.
The hosts gradually took control of the game after the half-hour mark of the first half and had several solid opportunities to take the lead in the second half, the best of which came in the 53rd minute on a rapid attack off a dead ball.
On the play, Norwegian forward Veton Berisha sent a cross in from the right side that Andrija Pavlovic received on one bounce and directed toward the left post.
The play nearly worked to perfection, but the Serbian forward’s shot had a bit too much sidespin and barely went wide of the upright.
Pavlovic had a second chance just four minutes later when the defender marking him fell to the ground in the area, but Villarreal keeper Andres Fernandez managed to snuff out the one-on-one opportunity.
Villarreal’s defenders also got in on the act, with Ramiro Funes Mori using his body to deflect away a dangerous volley in the 67th minute.
Both sides pressed forward over the last 20 minutes, but strong play by both Fernandez and Strebinger kept the match scoreless.
Despite playing to its third draw in four matches thus far in its Europa League campaign, Villarreal is currently in first place in Group G with six points, one ahead of both Spartak Moscow and Scottish club Rangers and two clear of Rapid with a pair of round-robin matches remaining.
Thursday night’s other Group G match was a goal fest, with Spartak Moscow rallying to defeat Rangers 4-3.
–IANS
ajb/sed
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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.