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Minerva Punjab FC had already qualified for the finals while it was a match to save prestige for FC Mangalore as they were already out of the finals. Minerva Punjab FC with 7 points from 3 matches were comfortably through so Coach Sanjoy made 11 changes and to ensure that all boys travelling in the Minerva squad got a chance to play.
The match started brightly with FC Mangalore showing more intent and going 1-0 up in the 4th minute itself. However, the extra intent proved costly as Chothe was brought down in the FC Mangalore penalty area. Chothe converted the penalty to bring the score level at 1-1 in the 9th min. FC Mangalore were again the first to strike in 15th minute and take a lead of 2-1. The Minerva Punjab FC, as expected, responded strongly with a series of attacks resulting in Chothe scoring a beautifully crafted goal to level the score 2-2 in 20th minute.
From here on, Minerva Punjab FC took control of the game and started to dominate the possession. In the 33rd minute, Minerva Punjab FC took the lead for first time in the game, with a clean finish from the day’s captain Taranpreet Singh. The score stayed the same till half time whistle was blown.
Minerva Punjab FC, just needing a point to qualify, started with two changes in second half. Guidingstar was brought in for Taranpreet and Arnab replaced the keeper Jaskarenvir. The second half started brightly for Minerva Punjab FC as Ajaruddin scored in the 48th minute to take the scoreline to 4-2.
Chothe continued his good form in the second half and scored his third goal in the 58th minute to take the scoreline to 5-2. The hattrick showed the quality of Chothe and the reason Minerva Punjab FC has trusted him to play even in senior I-League squad.
With the game looking closed for Minerva Punjab FC, they replaced Chothe with Shubham and Abishek with Parithoi. However, FC Mangalore scored a goal in 72th minute and were aided by a soft penalty to score another in 83th min to take the scoreline to 5-4. Minerva Punjab FC looked set to take the three points but FC Mangalore found the equaliser in the dying seconds of the match to make it 5-5 at Full Time whistle.
Though Minerva Punjab FC clearly dominated for major chunk of the game, FC Mangalore fought well to draw the game. All in all, it was an exciting match and proved to be a visual treat for the spectators.
With this point, Punjab zonal champions, Minerva Punjab FC have now qualified for the finals of AIFF Elite League to be held in Goa from January 27 for the third consecutive year.
