Minerva dream big with modest means
It fits that a team growing from its academy would look within for Indian footballers. The surprising bit lies in how a young Minerva Punjab have shown that modest means are no impediment to dreaming big.
After seven games in the and in only their second season in the top tier, the club is second on 16 points with five wins and a draw, two behind East Bengal who have played two games more.
Minerva play Mohun Bagan on Wednesday before travelling to Shillong. That means they could be four points in the clear by the weekend. “The I-League is a long journey and my players are gaining experience in every match. We want to win tomorrow,” said coach Khogen Singh.
Unlike Mohun Bagan, who have been iffy in the final third without injured Sony Norde, Minerva Punjab’s 10 goals have been scored by seven players. On 13 points from eight games, Mohun Bagan have scored 12 but five came in one game.
Despite usually fielding two under-22 imports in Bhutanese
KOLKATA:
forward Chencho Gyeltshen, and Ghanaian medio William Asiedu, Minerva Punjab have ground out wins. Singh attributed the consistency to fitness, preparation and denying imports preferential treatment.
Mohun Bagan, for whom goalie Shilton Paul and Dipanda Dicka are doubtful, are thus likely to be up against a hard-running, well-drilled team. “We expect a tough game,” said Bagan coach Chakraborty.
Elementary to Mohun Bagan unhinging them would be midfielder Cameron Watson. He started well in the 2-0 win against Aizawl and Bagan will hope his influence continues to grow.