Minerva take on Kerala FC in battle of laggards

Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, January 18

Lying in the bottom heap of the points table, defending champions Minerva Punjab FC would look to iron out their differences and tryout some new formations when they take on laggards Gokulam Kerala FC at Tau Devi Lal Stadium here on Saturday.             

Minerva FC have so far won just three out their 12 I-League matches this season and coach Paul Munster said they would like to give Indian players, particularly those from the region, a chance in tomorrow’s game.     

“These players (from the region) are with us from a long period and they will have a chance of the lifetime in the tomorrow’s match. The foreigners will be out of action, at least for this match,” Munster said on the eve of the match. 

“I am not happy with the latest performance of the squad. The team is meeting regularly and working profusely on overcoming the mistakes. Bringing some young and local legs will surely help us to achieve what we want,” the coach added as he seemed to be more concerned about the upcoming AFC Champions League campaign.

“The AFC Champions League is coming and it’s a big opportunity for both Indian and foreign players. We made it clear to them that if they perform they will be having a great future. They know the importance of the championship and it’s for them to utilise the opportunity to its fullest,” the coach added. 

The side, in all likelihood, will also not play their recent signings — Syrian Mahmoud Al Amna and Juan Quero of Spain — in their remaining matches.  

Minerva are currently in seventh place, three spots ahead of the bottom-placed Gokulam Kerala FC.    

Meanwhile, desperately looking for a win after three straight losses, Gokulam Kerala FC would be keen to regain their confidence under the newly-appointed technical director Gift Raikhan. 

“The boys have been playing well, but unfortunately we conceded a lot of goals. We have scored 16 goals but conceded 21, which makes no sense if we are going for a win,” said Raikhan. 

“We are placed 10th and this is not pleasing when we are going to face a tough team. However, we have a game plan and I am confident that the boys will take home three points,” he added.