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ISL 5: ATK fail Kerala test, lose 0-2 in opener
Kolkata, Sep 29 (IANS) A dominant Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) rode on second half strikes from Matej Poplatnik and Slavisa Stojanovic to beat Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) 1-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) season five opener at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Saturday.
Poplatnik made the most of a deflection off Gerson’s foot to nod home the first goal in the 77th minute with Stojanovic adding the cushion in the 86th minute after a barren first half which the away side bossed.
In front of 41,202 spectators, ATK lacked vision like their last season while KBFC, under former England goalkeeper David James, were able to make the most of their chances.
The result saw the two-time finalists kick off their campaign on a perfect note by logging full points while ATK, who endured a dismal run last season, got off to the worst possible start at home.
The home side looked rusty in the opening exchanges and were sloppy in possession.
Poplatnik almost took advantage when he rose to connect to a Lalruatthara cross from the left flank but dragged his header just wide of target.
The visitors were all over ATK as Lalruatthara time and again bombed forward to tee up Poplatnik, who was guilty of missing one more chance inside the first ten minutes.
Against the run of play, ATK had a sniff of goal when Manuel Lanzarote’s curling corner kissed the crossbar and went out, and then Balwant Singh’s header forced India Under-17 goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh to make a good save.
Everton Santos too, came close for the two-time champions soon after, while six minutes before halftime Jayesh Rane spurned ATK’s best chance to take the lead by heading wide from handshaking distance from El Maimouni’s corner.
At the halfway mark, both teams were locked goalless. The second half only came to life when Poplatnik broke the deadlock with ATK bringing on fit-again Eugeneson Lyngdoh in place of Balwant a minute earlier.
After the goal, home team coach Steve Coppell replaced Rane with the more experienced Cavin Lobo, but that did not change the tide of the game as Kerala ensured their victory when Stojanovic found the back of the net.
The Serbian received a long ball from Halicharan Narzary at the edge of the box, dribbled past Gerson and unleashed a pile driver which went past Arindam Bhattacharya.
The city-based franchise will next take on NorthEast United at home on October 4 while Kerala will host Mumbai City FC the next day.
–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
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.