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Minerva Academy played host to SBBS Football Academy in their third fixture of the JCT Punjab U-21 Youth League. Having already secured a quarterfinal berth with two wins in two games, 11 changes were made to the starting lineup – with seven players making their debut for Minerva Academy.
The game started off scrappily, with both teams unable to keep possession of the ball. The visitors then got a free-kick from the left in the 12th minute and despite Minerva Academy mounting a wall, the shot was deflected off it and went in. SBBS Football Academy took an early lead.
Thereafter, Minerva Academy had more possession but couldn’t muster up any real goalscoring chances and the game became a cagey affair.
However, in first-half stoppage time, the hosts had a fantastic opportunity to get back on level terms, as left-back Abhay Yadav bombed forward and drove in a cross to Ringham Jigdung, who couldn’t hit the target.
At the break, it was 1-0 in favor of SBBS Football Academy.
It was always going to be difficult for the visitors to hold on to their lead, and their defence was eventually penetrated in the 65th minute when Abhay excellently went past one defender and sent a cross in. The goalkeeper parried it away, but the rebound fell to Shambhu Deb who tapped in it.
After that, it didn’t take long for Minerva Academy to take the lead, as Shambhu Deb turned provider this time after a good run from the left flank allowed him to cross an inch-perfect pass into the feet of Ojas Singh waiting in the box. It was another well-crafted goal, as Ojas put Minerva Academy ahead in the 68th minute.
The joy, however, didn’t last long, as SBBS Football Academy won a penalty for a handball in the box. It was put away in the 78th minute, leveling the score at 2-2.
The game deserved a winner, and after a thriller of a second-half, it finally came in the 90th minute. Kamlesh Singh released Ringham on the right, who covered plenty of ground and went past two players, before teeing the ball up for Ojas again, who was in the right place at the right time to make it 3-2 to the home team.
With 9 points in 3 games, Minerva Academy finished top of Group A, and will now play their quarterfinal fixture on Saturday against Thekedar Amarjit Singh Memorial Football Club in Mohali.
