Nike U15 Premier Cup: Minerva Academy reach final, beat Mohammedan Sporting!

Nike Premier Cup 2016 - IndiaMohammedan Sporting Club Under-15s suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Minerva Academy FC, ending their run in the semifinals of the Nike Premier Cup 2016 for U15 Youth League on Tuesday. Two sides fought tooth and nail, but at the end it was Minerva Academy who came out victorious with an better all-round performance at the Nagoa Sports Ground in Goa.

Moirangthem Givson Singh (55th) and Thounaojam Jeakson Singh (80th) scored for Minerva Academy, who will face Royal Wahingdoh FC in the final on Friday.

Mohammedan Sporting began the match on the front foot and in the opening quarter they went close through Surajuddin Munshi and Debraj Rakshit but the Minerva Academy defense stood firm denying Mohammedan Sporting attackers. In the 23rd minute Mohammedan Sporting had their best chance of the half when Rahul Sarkar played a delightful pass for Kaushik Saha, but the midfielder failed to keep his effort on target from inside the 6-yard box.

The Punjab outfit did not lag behind as they gave good account of themselves and created a couple of moves but failed to convert them into goals as the first half ended scoreless.

Minerva Academy looked a better side post half-time and tested the Mohammedan Sporting defense through Givson and Shubham Sarangi in the opening exchanges. Ten minutes into the session Minerva Academy did manage to break the deadlock when Givson scored a cracking goal to put his side ahead.

However, Mohammedan Sporting almost got the equaliser in the 67th minute but Md. Giasuddin failed to reach the ball after Suraj Rajbanshi released a nice through ball. Minerva Academy doubled their advantage in the 80th minute through Jeakson who tricks Mohammedan Sporting custodian Aftab Alam to give his team a two goal lead.

Mohammedan Sporting’s intent of getting back into the game was evident, but the Kolkata outfit failed to construct enough quality attempts which could threaten Minerva Academy. The final scoreline read 2-0 in favour of Minerva Academy FC and meant the final for them.

About Arunava Chaudhuri

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