Minerva Punjab new ILeague champions
Chandigarh team beats Churchill, becomes 2nd Punjab club to win top league
PANCHKULA: William Opoku’s 15th minute strike took Minerva Punjab FC to their maiden I-League title in their second season in their top flight with the 1-0 win over Churchill Brothers at Panchkula on Thursday dashing the hopes of other challengers.
The title was for Minerva to lose, and victory ensured the tournament saw a new champion for the second year in a row, Aizawl FC having won last year.
Minerva’s win meant the other two matches — Mohun Bagan drew with Gokulam Kerala and East Bengal were held by NEROCA FC after simultaneous kickoffs — did not have a bearing on their title hopes.
NEROCA FC finished second, Mohun Bagan third and East Bengal fourth in the 10-team competition. Churchill, who ended ninth, were relegated. Though Indian Arrows, All India Football Federation’s developmental team, were last, they are protected from relegation.
It was another high for Punjab football as Minerva became the first team from the state to win since the tournament was rechristened as I-League in 2007. JCT (Phagwara) had won the inaugural edition of its precursor, NFL (National Football League), in 1996-97.
Churchill defender Visalie Mezhu failed to clear a long ball and Girik Khosla made a fine run behind the defenders. His shot was blocked, and Chencho Gyeltshen’s attempt off the rebound was saved by Churchill custodian Ricardo Cardozo, but Opaku was at hand to control and tap in.
Things threatened to turn ugly as Guy Dano and Onyeama Okechukwu had a heated exchange. With the other players also jumping in, the referee had a hard time in controlling the situation. Both Dano and Okechukwu later picked up yellow in quick succession after that, Dano for an illegal challenge and Okechukwu for attempting to shoulder charge keeper Limbu after he collected the ball.
NO I-LEAGUE TROPHY
Minerva coach Khogen Singh was gushing, terming it a success for the team. “Very happy, the success I think is a team’s effort. Everyone did it. Players were dedicated and gave their best. Struggles and mental and physical load did play a role but in the end we won.
Khogen though was disappointed the I-League trophy was not in Panchkula for his team to immediately celebrate with. “We are not a famous club. The boys did well to soak up the pressure. But it’s a little disappointing that the I-League trophy is not here.”
SUPER CUP FROM MAR 15
NEW DELHI:The inaugural edition of the Super Cup will be played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, starting March 15. All the 20 Indian clubs playing in the ISL and I-League will participate in the Super Cup. Winners of the qualifiers will join the top 6 ISL and I-League clubs in the final phase of the tournament.