Connect with us

Top News

ISL: ATK, Goa rivalry could get bitter with Lanza in spotlight (Preview)

Published

on

Kolkata, Nov 27 (IANS) There are quite a few interesting rivalries in the Indian Super League (ISL). The Southern Derby has thrown up some surprises; Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters hardly see eye to eye and the Maharashtra Derby is beginning to get intense.

But nothing can match the rivalry of Goa and Bengal.

Goa and Bengal have been historical football rivals, and when the ISL kicked off in 2014, the rivalry got a new meaning. When Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) coach Antonio Lopez Habas punched FC Goa marquee Robert Pires at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, a new rivalry took shape.

With former Goa star Manuel Lanzarote falling out of favour with coach Sergio Lobera and joining ATK, it will be interesting to see how both react when they face each other for the first time at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Wednesday.

Lanzarote was a crucial player in Lobera’s FC Goa last season, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists in 19 matches as they made it to the play-offs. However, the 34-year-old terminated his contract and opted to join ATK.

Now at ATK, the Spaniard doesn’t have the same impressive numbers, while Ferran Corominas, who had a telepathic understanding with Lanzarote, is still going strong at FC Goa with eight goals and four assists.

“We were very lucky to be able to keep him (Coro) in the team after getting many offers from other clubs. He’s a great player and does a lot of things on the pitch which helps us and also off the pitch to motivate the players,” said Lobera, the FC Goa coach.

Goa will want to make amends for their shoddy performance against Bengaluru FC last week as they suffered their second defeat of the campaign. Their defence has leaked in 14 goals, which is the same as bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos.

Edu Bedia, who has been a key player for Goa, will be fit to make it into the starting eleven as he has recovered in time, while Hugo Boumous will sit out after having picked up four bookings.

Goa, who have scored the highest number of goals in the league (22), will face a stern test against ATK, who have a mean defence, marshalled by John Johnson and Andre Bikey.

“When you play Goa you have to be alive, because they’re inventive. But, they’ve lost a couple of games and there is a blueprint to beat them. Last year, they lost five games. They can be pleasing on the eye going forward, but they can be vulnerable,” ATK coach Steve Coppell said on the eve of the clash.

Will ATK have the last laugh or can Lobera get his team back to winning ways will be known on Wednesday evening.

–IANS
kk/sed

Continue Reading

Top News

Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending