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Minerva Punjab FC colts continued their good run of form as they previously beat India’s U-17 World Cup bound team 1-0 and now beat India U-15 team with a 2-0 win at the Artificial Turf Ground, Utorda in Goa.
Minerva Punjab FC rested 5 of its 2000 born players and gave chance to the younger 2001-2003 born players. The Warriors in Red started the game on an impressive note from the word go as Minerva’s Sahajahan dropped in a brilliant ball in the box for Ajruddin who failed to connect in the very 3rd minute. Team India’s #10 was a menace for the Minervan backline but the defence marshalled by Anwar Ali put up a solid performance in keeping the youngster at bay. The first dig at the goal came in during the 20th minute when attacker Nongdamba Noarem took a shot from the top of the box which kissed the woodwork and went out for a goal-kick. Arjun Kumar’s darting runs down the flank too failed to find a finish as a forgetful first half came to an end with the score board remaining unchanged.
India U15’s kicked off the second half and right away Minervans picked up an early miss pass by their opponents and created a good chance for Arjun who reached a late to convert Nongdamba’s through ball. Earning 5 back-to-back corners, Minerva Punjab FC flooded the Indian team’s backline with continuous challenges and in the 58th minute, their hard work paid off when Henba Meiti swifted brilliantly past the charging defenders and smashed the ball into the back of the net to give the visitors a lead.
The next couple of moves again saw Minerva Punjab FC pressing the Indian colts backline deeper as Md Ajaruddin but his powerful shot hit the post and went out for a goal kick in process. Minerva finally doubled the lead in the 80th minute when Nongdamba Naorem curled a brilliant ball from the top of the box giving no chance to the Indian team’s custodian to punch the danger away. The next couple of dying minutes into the game saw both teams sharing equal amount of possession as Indian colts too made some counter attacks in their hunt for a goal, but the Minervan custodian was able to avert the danger. The warriors emerged victorious at the final whistle with a 2-0 lead over the Indian U-15 team.
With this win, Minerva Punjab FC colts maintain a healthy record of being unbeaten for over half-a-year in the country, as their Tour to Goa comes to an end with a 1-0 win over India’s U-17 World Cup bound team and 2-0 win against India U-15 football team.
