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In the battle of wits, Minerva Punjab FC overcame debutants NEROCA FC by a 2-1 margin in a mouth-watering I-League fixture tonight in Ludhiana. After Felix Chidi Odili (18′) put NEROCA in the driver’s seat, Chencho (24′) quickly restored the parity before Lago (45’+2) tapped it home to secure all three points for the hosts.
NEROCA started the match with high pace and intensity which bothered Minerva Punjab’s defence for much of the starting 20 minutes. Arshdeep Singh had to pull up his socks in the 3rd minute itself when he dived to his left to save a brilliantly taken curling shot.
Chencho had a good chance in the 16th minute when his powerful shot was made life difficult for NEROCA captain and Goalkeeper Lalit Thapa. Meanwhile, Minerva Punjab’s back four stood firm until the 18th minute when a superb solo run by Odili Chidi resulted in the first goal of the match.
NEROCA didn’t get much time to celebrate as Minerva Punjab struck back six minutes later in the 24th minute through Chencho who beat his marker on the left corner of the penalty box and then hit the ball in the far right corner of the goal.
Minutes later, NEROCA won a free-kick just yards outside the penalty area but the resultant kick by Akhlidin Israilov went over the crossbar. Minerva Punjab would have taken the lead in 39th minute itself when Chencho went one on one with the keeper but he simply could hit the target.
Just as the first half was about to end, Lago Bei found the net from Abhishek Ambedkar’s cross. Lago took a touch and then slotted the ball into the left corner from 4 yards out. This vital goal just before half-time changed everything.
The second half was more about Minerva Punjab sitting back to allow NEROCA to attack and hitting them on the counter-attack.
NEROCA made two quick substitutions early on in second half to find a way to penetrate Minerva Punjab’s defence. Chencho got another opportunity later on in the 76th minute when he dribbled past two defenders to go one on one with the keeper but his shot brushed off the right goalpost.
Lago created an opportunity for Minerva Punjab in the 88th minute when he almost scored from 30 yards. NEROCA could not find any more good opportunities and home side Minerva Punjab emerged victorious.
With this victory, Minerva Punjab FC goes atop the I-League table with four points from two matches, while NEROCA FC remain pointless after their league debut.
