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Mohali-based Northern I-League giants Minerva Punjab travelled to Jalandhar for their first away match of 31st Punjab State Super Football League and second game of the League as they played Punjab Police at the PAP Football Grounds, Jalandhar.
Minerva Punjab FC’s Portuguese gaffer Juan Luis Perez Herrera came in with many changes into his line-up as he was aware of the tactical and physical threat his opponents possess. Former DSK Shivajians custodian Rakshit Dagar was replaced by former India Junior and Minerva’s I-League keeper Arshdeep Singh, Former Air India right-back Rahul Das was replaced in favour of Punjabi lad Salman Lateef, Belarusian hitman Dzmitry Kowb and Ghanian Dano Eric Guy was replaced by former Middlesbourg FC’s U23 midfielder William Opoko and Japanese Midfielder Toshiya Hosoe.
The match started with Minervan Moinuddun making the first run of the game thru the right flank only for his attempt to be calmly collected by the Punjab Police custodian, minutes later Punjab Police’s midfield fed a wonderful thru ball to their striker which was well intercepted by Toshiya and kicked out for a corner. Some harsh flying tackles and heated exchange of words saw the game played in a physical mode, but the Warriors from Mohali didn’t seem to get distracted, focusing on the three vital points.
The 20th minute saw a clear handball denied making the Minerva Punjab FC players and dugout furious. Punjab Police soon made the best of the confusion as they created a counter only for their hopes to be dashed by Minervan right-back Kamalpreet Singh’s strong tackle. Minervan Arshdeep too stole the limlight as he made some brilliant saves under the crossbar to keep the opponents at bay, but the young Chandigarh lad’s effort’s fell short when in the 38th Minute Punjab Police took the lead thru a deflection. The half time saw the Policemen take the lead into the break as the Minerva Punjab’s gaffer soon got back to business with the lads with instructions.
The second half saw the Warriors come in with a single change replacing William Okopo with Ghanian Lago Dagbo Bei, as the game started with the Minervans leaving no stone unturned to score a much needed equaliser. Gaffer Luiz soon bought in Amandeep Singh in favour of Altamash Sayed. Striker Girik Khosla and Moinuddin bought the spectators on their toes when they missed a few golden opportunities to score a couple past their opponents, However Mumbaikar Girik Khosla got his job done in the 86th minute of the game when he equalised for the Mohali-based club thru a fine finish.
The next couple of moves saw Minervans make back-to-back attempts at the goal in search of a winner but their efforts went in vain as the match ended in a 1-1 stalement.
Minerva Punjab FC will next travel back again to Jalandhar to face Kehar FC tO play their third league game at the DAV College Grounds in Jalandhar on Sunday, October 8.
