Mohali academy clinch Gothia Cup for 2nd time

Minerva Academy Football Club won the Gothia Cup organised by professional football club BK Häcken by recording a 4-0 win over Club Escuela de Fútbol 18 Tucumán from Argentina. All goals were scored in the first half of the match by Rhythm, Yoihenba, Raj and Denamoni.

In the semifinals, the team defeated Syrianska IF 2-0 in the 9-a-side event. The Syrianska matched Minerva for pace and intensity, but Rhythm broke the deadlock with a clinical finish, while Chetan T nailed the final goal. Syrianska’s lads tried their best to make a comeback but the defenders of the Mohali-based outfit successfully defended their lead.

Across group stages and knockouts, Minerva scored more than 50 goals but conceded just two. The side won the title for the second time, after winning the U-13 title two years ago. In 2023, they clinched the U-13 title by defeating Brazil’s Ordin FC 2-0 in the final, becoming the first Indian club to win this tournament. Minerva dominated their group, securing victories against Swedish clubs LB07, Skoftebyns IF, and Stensatra IF. They then won 2-0 against Sweden’s Syrianska IF.

A total of 67 teams from 10 countries competed in the boys’ 14B category, divided into 16 groups, with Minerva placed in Group 12. The matches of girls U-13, boys U-13, girls U-14B and boys U-14B are played in a 9-a-side format.