Minerva’s title to lose, Churchill fight relegation

ILEAGUE Despite being placed in a comfortable situation, the Punjab team has itself to blame for its current state

PANCHKULA: By this time, Minerva Punjab FC should have been receiving messages of congratulations and readying for celebrations. But plot twists seem to be the forte of whoever writes the script of the I-League.

Things were going swimmingly in their second season till on the homestretch, Minerva Punjab FC decided to shift home to Panchkula. They lost their next two games, to East Bengal and Gokulam Kerala FC, and then to relegation-threatened Chennai City FC away. That put the bhangra on hold and opened up the title race with the Punjab team staying more than being just pace-setters by winning against Shillong Lajong and Aizawl FC in Panchkula.

On Thursday, north India’s only team in the competition are still the best placed among four teams to win the title but what could make things difficult is that opponents Churchill Brothers too will seek full points as otherwise they would be relegated.

What will give Churchill, who have signed Trinidad and Tobago international Willis Plaza, hope is that Minerva Punjab FC have not dealt with pressure well. Minerva Punjab FC coach Khogen Singh is trying his best to keep the team from fluffing its lines again. “We have to believe we can do this. I would like my boys to take it as any other game,” he said.

CRYING FOUL

Minerva have accused other clubs, especially a legacy club, of sabotaging the team’s preparations ahead of their title deciding match. Sources said Khogen was approached by an official of another club with a “lucrative offer”. “He was told that since Minerva were going to sack him after the league, why not come and join them (the other team). This would have affect the team morale,” a club official, who is not authorised to speak, said.

Confirming the development, Minerva CEO Shahnawaz Khan said, “This is a dirty play. Some of the bigger clubs are trying to sabotage the team and affect results. We have raised the issue with appropriate authorities.”