Top News
ISL: Sougou hat-trick hands Mumbai play-off spot
Kolkata, Feb 22 (IANS) Riding on a hat-trick by Moudou Sougou, Mumbai City FC drubbed ATK 3-1 and confirmed a spot in the Indian Super League playoffs at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Friday.
After going matches without a goal, Sougou (26′, 39′, 60′) returned to the scoresheet with an excellent performance.
Andre Bikey headed in a consolation goal in the 67th minute, but the hosts could not find a way back into the match and were now out of the reckoning for a place in the playoffs.
The win took Mumbai to the third spot on the table with 30 points while ATK remained at the sixth position with 21 points.
A midfield battle ensued in the first half as both teams looked to keep possession of the ball. ATK started the match well but Mumbai soon stamped their authority, showing efficiency in the attacking third.
Pranjal Bhumij skipped past his marker on the left flank and crossed into the centre for Sougou in the 21st minute. The Senegalese’s first touch took Arnab Mondal out of the equation, but Andre Bikey cleared the ball before the striker could find the net from a close range.
However, Sougou managed to get the better of the ATK defence in the 26th minute. Paulo Machado won the ball in Mumbai’s half and initiated a counter-attack from the right. Bhumij received the ball forward and lobbed it behind the ATK defenders to find Sougou who placed the ball into the net past goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya.
Thirteen minutes later, Mumbai again hit ATK with an incisive counter-attack. Edu Garcia gave the ball away outside the Mumbai box and Souvik Chakrabarty released Issoko down the right flank. The winger found Sougou in the centre of the box with a delightful cross and the Senegalese slotted home from a close range to double Mumbai’s lead.
ATK went close to pulling one back just before the break, but Mumbai custodian Amrinder Singh pulled off a finger-tip save to parry away Kalu Uche’s shot from inside the box.
Uche had another chance but failed to beat Amrinder from close range, allowing the Mumbai defence to clear the ball.
At the hour-mark, Paulo Machado released Sougou behind the ATK defence and the striker scored his 12th goal of the season with an emphatic finish by putting the ball beyond Arindam’s reach.
ATK pushed players forward in search of a way back into the game. Pritam Kotal delivered a good cross into the centre of the box and Bikey’s powerful header found the net in the 67th minute.
–IANS
dm/oeb/prs
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.