Minerva crush Bhutia Academy

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, February 9

Local favourites Minerva Academy Football Club (MAFC) pulled off their first win in the Youth (U-15) League ‘Rest of India’ Zonal round tournament being played at the Sector 17 football stadium today.

The side registered a 4-0 win over Baichung Bhutia Football School (BBFS New Delhi) after playing a goalless first half. Subham Sarangi and Manvir scored a brace each to log the win.

Learning from their mistakes in the previous match, MAFC pressurised BBFS defence from the word go. In the opening minute, right midfielder Jackson launched the first attack, dodging past two defenders before finding his teammate Manvir, who was unmarked. Manvir moved solo but a poor finish made him leave the BBFS half on a gloomy note. Making their efforts more effective, the MAFC lads continued to disturb the BBFS defenders with short passes, keeping possession. The midfielders of BBFS failed to match their rivals’ quality and were pushed back to their half.

Unable to resist the pressure, BBFS conceded the first goal soon after the resumption of the second half. MAFC striker Subham Sarangi drew first blood in the 49th minute, taking full advantage of the gap left by the BBFS defenders.

The scoreline was doubled by Manvir, playing at left-in, in the 63rd minute. This time Manvir committed no mistake to defeat the BBFS goalkeeper with a power-packed half-volley shot. Ten minutes later, he again hogged the limelight when he scored to take put his team 3-0 ahead. He scored this goal after receiving an aerial pass from left-winger Amarjeet.

Adding to the home joy, Sarangi again came to the fore when he headed the ball into the goal to make it 4-0 in the last minute of the match.

In the second match, Sudeva Club registered a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Conscient Football Club. Vanlalzawma scored the only goal of the game in the 36th minute to provide his team the lead. Sudeva Club managed to resist goal-scoring attempts by Conscient to keep the scoreline 1-0 in their favour until the final whistle. The third match between Lonestar Kashmir Football Club and Youngster’s Academy ended goalless.