Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Minerva Academy FC exposed the East Punjab FC defence in the opening match of Punjab Super League qualifiers at their home ground in Mohali. The victory comes as an official announcement of Minerva Academy FC’s comeback into the Punjab Football scene where nine goals were scored by the home team that too with a clean sheet.
Former India junior international Anwar Ali, who appeared in the Himachal Pradesh State League recently was handed over the captain’s armband by Minerva Academy FC head coach Yan Law.
The first half of the match was all about majority ball possession play and domination from the home side until Radhakanta Singh hammered the ball home in the 44th minute and broke the deadlock. The game was well under Minerva Academy FC’s control till the hour mark.
The game was all eventful from the 69th minute when a penalty was awarded to the home team after a reckless challenge from an East Punjab FC defender. Skipper Anwar Ali converted the spot kick and got his first professional goal in two years. East Punjab FC lost complete control of the game when Minerva Academy FC hit the back of the net six times in only 14 minutes between the 75th and 89th minute. The exploit being initiated by Lalrinchhana Lallawmpuia, Nikhil Mali, the young forward from Maharashtra clinched his hattrick in just nine minutes. Apart from Nikhil, Radhakanta Singh scored a brace during that time to make it three for himself.
Anwar got his second goal in the last minute of the game where he effortlessly finished a grounded cross from the best performer of the match, Nikhil Mali.
The East Punjab FC attackers could not pierce Minerva Academy FC’s back line which consisted of two experienced campaigners, Jayananda Singh and Anwar Ali blended with the likes of Nikhil Pal and Alfanso Santiago. Charles Tongbram, the 16 year old Minerva custodian showed glimpses of his goalkeeping abilities and took some exceptional leaps to keep the ball out. The East Punjab FC defence was exposed and baffled once the home team started to press high and convert almost every alternate ball making the score line humiliating for them.
East Punjab FC midfielder Gopi Thapa was sent off with a straight red card in the 65th minute making the away team play with ten men another reason for their collapse.
Minerva Academy FC head coach Yan Law after clinching victory with a goal difference of nine said, “I was pushing my boys for the 10th goal to be honest. The players were looking in great touch and when they got the tempo up in the later stage of the game I pushed them even more to press and convert the chances. Winning a game with a huge margin is always great and in leagues the goal difference plays a crucial role in the final stages. Comebacks like these are always cherished and I’m proud of the entire team the way they performed. Heading on to the next one with a bag full of optimism.”
Minerva Academy FC are set to host Doaba United FC in their next match of the Punjab Super League qualifiers.
