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Mohali-based Northern I-League giants Minerva Punjab FC defeated Dalbir Football Academy 3-0 in their first game of the 31st Punjab State Super Football League at the Minerva Academy Grounds in Chandigarh.
The Warriors lined up with former DSK Shivajians FC custodian Rakshit Dagar under the woodwork along with Rahul Das, Sukhdev Singh, Randeep and Moinuddin in the backline. Belarusian hitman Dzmitry Koub, former Maharashtra Santosh Trophy star striker Abhishek Ambekar and former DSK Shivajians midfielder Vanlalremkima marshalled the midfield along with Altamash Sayed and Girik Khosla on either sides of Ivorian Lago Dagbo Bei in the attack.
Minerva Punjab FC made their debut in Punjab’s top flight football with a bang defeating Dalbir Football Academy who are no strangers to the state as they finished third in the League last season.
The visiting team from Punjab started on a positive note when they took an early shot at goal but Minervan custodian Rakshit Dagar collected the ball quite comfortably. The Warriors settled down from the next move which saw Moinuddin darting down the left flank to smash in the opening goal for the home team just 48 seconds into the game from a very narrow position leaving the Dalbir Football Academy custodian and dugout stunned.
The home team then played some tiki taka football on the lush green surface entertaining the spectators with some beautiful footwork and off ball runs. The second goal of the evening came in the 18th minute thru Moinuddin who was in superb form this evening scoring from an unbelievable angle from the far left of the field dashing the visitors Dalbir Football Academy’s hopes of a comeback. Both teams went in for the break with the scoreboard remaining unchanged as the Warriors enjoyed over 80% of the ball possession in the match completely outclassing the visiting team from Patiala.
Gaffer Juan Luis Perez Herrera bought in Minerva Punjab FC’s new midfield sensation and former Middlesbrough FC U-23’s player Willaim Opoko. The 20 year old midfielder made an immediate impact in the centre of the park playing some jaw dropping ball’s off the Dalbir Football Academy defenders, he soon announced his debut in style as he scored in the 68th minute of the game making the scoreline 3-0 in favour of the home team, Minerva Punjab FC.
The match ended with the same scoreline 3-0 in favour of Minerva Punjab FC who turned heads as they trashed established side Dalbir Football Academy in the first game.
