Minerva firm up top spot with win

IMPHAL: Bhutanese striker Chencho Gyeltshen scored in the third minute as Minerva Punjab beat NEROCA FC 1-0 in an I-league match to strengthen their position at top of the table Saturday.

In the 12th round clash between the two top teams in the league table, Gyeltshen’s early strike made all the difference in the fast-paced match as the Punjab side walked away with full three points. With the win, Minerva have 25 points from 10 matches and they are now four points clear of NEROCA.

GOALLESS DRAW

COIMBATORE: Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill put up a commendable performance as Indian Arrows held Chennai City to a goalless draw in an I-league match on Saturday. Slovenian goalkeeper Uros Poljanec was tested in the second minute when Rahim Ali triggered a venomous shot on goal from an acute angle after being played through by Sanjeev Stalin.

TOUGH FOR GOKULAM

KOZHIKODE : Languishing at the bottom, Gokulam Kerala FC will have their task cut out when they face a rejuvenated Shillong Lajong FC in an I-league match at the EMS Corporation Stadium on Sunday. After succumbing to five consecutive defeats, the yellow outfit finally found some respite having clinched a crucial victory against Chennai City FC in their last away fixture. Bino Geroge’s boys haven’t gone through a merrier ride at their home until now where they’ve earned only a point in six outings.

KERALA BLASTERS WIN

KOCHI: Kerala Blasters came back from behind to register a 2-1 win over Delhi Dynamos FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on Saturday. The home side desperately needed the three points to keep their hopes for a top-four place alive in the Indian Super League and are now placed fifth with 17 points. Kalu Uche gave Miguel Angel Portugal’s side the lead from the spot but Kerala Blasters found an unlikely hero in 19-year-old teenager, Deependra Singh Negi, who scored one and played a big part in his team’s second after the change of ends.

ATK EYE REVIVAL

KOLKATA: Ravaged by injuries to key players, off-colour defending champions ATK will look to their bench strength against Jamshedpur FC as they try to revive their flailing campaign in ISL. ATK suffered their second defeat on the trot against second placed Chennaiyin FC two days ago, leaving them reeling at the eighth position with 12 points in the league table.