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I-League: East Bengal surge to second spot after win over Churchill

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Vasco (Goa), Dec 20 (IANS) East Bengal put their title hopes right back on track with a 2-1 victory over hosts Churchill Brothers in an I-League match at the Tilak Maidan here on Thursday.

A super strike by Spaniard Jamie Santos Colado and a fortunate strike from Lalrindika ‘Didika’ Ralte on either side of each half, ensured Trinidadian Willis Plaza’s third minute strike for Churchill counted for nothing.

The win took East Bengal to second spot on the I-League points tally, with 15 points from eight games, just three behind table toppers Chennai City FC. Churchill move down to fifth, remaining on 13 points from nine games.

Going into the game, East Bengal coach Alejandro Garcia made only one change, starting Samad Ali Mallick in the right wing back position in place of Lalram Chullova, who had an ordinary outing in their last game against Mohun Bagan.

Churchill’s Romanian coach Petra Gigiu, had to make two forced changes due to injury and as a result Nickson Castanha got a first start and so did Shillum Pires in deep defence in place of regulars Hussein Eldor and Wayne Vaz. Gigiu also opted for Vigneshwaran ‘Vicky’ Baskaran in goal in place of regular first choice James Kithan.

The home team took the lead straight away after a cross from the left by Gambian Dawda Cessay in the third minute was controlled ahead of East Bengal centre back Borja, by league top scorer Willis Plaza. He slid away and took a shot on the turn with his left foot to beat Rakshit Dagar in goal. Dagar did get a touch on it before the ball rolled in and could have done better.

This was Plaza’s eighth goal of the 12th Hero I-League and Cessay’s sixth assist as well and it is not the first time the combination has struck for Churchill this season.

It was end to end football after that and both sides had their chances.

In the 35th minute however, East Bengal drew level thanks to a super strike by new 23-year-old Spanish signing Jamie Santos Colado. They got a corner and Didika floated a left-footer right across the Churchill goal. Before it landed on top of the box, Santos connected with a thunderous low right-footed volley, which beat Vicky and bulged the back of the Churchill net. The technique exhibited by Colado had class written all over it.

Jobby Justin, East Bengal’s highest scorer of this campaign with five goals to his name, had the first good chance of the second half in the 51st minute when a loose ball fell his way outside the Churchill box, but his effort went over.

Churchill had a similar chance of their own five minutes later but this time, Khalid Aucho’s powerful grounder just missed the mark.

Plaza’s Trinidadian countryman, Anthony Wolfe then found himself with a chance at a shot in the 59th minute, but his effort from close also flew over the goal.

Both teams tried to break the deadlock with East Bengal looking the more purposeful and Didika it was, who put East Bengal ahead in the 79th minute to add to his assist earlier.

It was another set-piece, this time a free-kick on the right flank. Didika appeared to have delivered a perfect ball inside the box, which ultimately missed everyone, bounced in front of a baffled Churchill keeper and went in.

This made it three wins on the trot for the Red and Golds after three back-to-back losses, and Churchill, after remaining unbeaten in their first seven games, have now suffered two straight losses. Jaime Santos was adjudged the Hero of the Match for his stunning goal.

–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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