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Porto advance to Champions League quarter finals
Porto, March 7 (IANS) Porto advanced to the quarter finals of the Champions League with a 4-3 aggregate victory over Roma, clinching the win with a penalty conversion in extra time.
The Serie A side led 2-1 after the February 12 first leg at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, but Porto won the second leg of this round-of-16 clash 3-1, reports Efe news.
The home side extended the contest with a second-half goal from Moussa Marega, and then got what proved to be the game-winner when left back Alex Telles scored from the 12-yard mark deep into extra time.
Down on the scoreboard at the start of Wednesday’s action, Porto came out aggressively and were rewarded in the 26th minute thanks in large part to Marega.
The French-born Malian forward kick-started the play by stripping the ball from defender Kostas Manolas, getting to his feet and racing toward the goal line.
He was then rewarded for his hustle when he received a pass from Mexican winger Jesus Manuel Corona and then sent a cross to Tiquinho Soares, who scored at point-blank range.
But Roma made the aggregate score 3-2 just 11 minutes later on a penalty that Daniele De Rossi scored past former Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas.
Eder Militao, back in the line-up after being suspended for staying out late at a party in violation of team rules, had fouled Diego Perotti in the area moments earlier.
After the intermission, Marega continued to wreak havoc in attack, nearly scoring on a shot to the far post in the 51st minute that Roma net minder Robin Olsen managed to get a hand on and clear for a corner.
But just one minute later, the Malian international broke free from a defender, received a pass from Corona just before the goal line and volleyed the ball home past Olsen, who had no chance on the play.
With the aggregate score 3-3, both teams then exercised caution for fear of giving up the game winner, resulting in few chances for either side over the remaining 40 minutes of regulation and the first half of extra time.
The action heated up again over the final 15 minutes of overtime, with Edin Dzeko nearly scoring twice in succession for Roma.
The Bosnian forward’s first attempt went just over the crossbar; he then expertly lifted the ball over Casillas’ head at close range, only to be denied when center back Pepe heroically slid to clear it away just before the goal line.
But when it seemed this round-of-16 clash might be headed for penalties, Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi was called for a penalty for grabbing Fernando’s jersey to prevent him from getting to a cross.
Telles then stepped up to the penalty spot in and in the 117th minute calmly slotted the ball home past Olsen, who guessed the wrong way.
With the narrow win, Porto are back in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since the 2014-2015 season.
–IANS
gau/bc
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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.