MAPUSA
Minerva Academy FC beat Royal Wahingoh FC on penalties to win the AIFF U-15 Nike Premier League after a fiercely contested final at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Friday. The score was deadlocked 1-1 at the end of regulation and then extra time and Minerva, the Chandigarh based team, prevailed 4-3 in the shootout.
The first quarter of the first session witnessed end to end action, with Royal Wahingdoh gradually dominating the session but their efforts were staved off by their Punjabi rivals. The first opportunity at goal came from Royal Wahingdoh in the 11th minute when a Phrangki Buam's cross to Thongram Santosh Singh was shot off target.
Few minutes later, a one-on-one upmanship was won by Minerva’s Moirangthem Thoiba Singh whose defensive skills averted the danger of Royal Wahingdoh’s Naorem Mahesh Singh’s adroit dribble in the striking zone. Shortly later, Minerva missed out on a gem of a chance. As the game petered on into the session, star striker, Rheadolf of Royal Wahingdoh missed out on a chance at goal when the rival defence adeptly cut out his angle. Shortly before the lemon break, Royal Wahingdoh’s Phrangki went on the attack but his skills were deftly taken care of by Minerva’s defence.
Shortly after resumption, Minerva’s skipper Thounaojam Jeakson Singh's curling corner kick at goal was smartly parried away by the north-eastern side custodian Kevinson Bareh. As time wore on, another curling cross attempt at goal by Minerva’s Shubham Sarangi was dealt with well by the alert rival goalie. As time moved towards the closing stages of regulation time, a well-directed long ranger in the 78th minute by Royal Wahingdoh’s Phrangki Buam caught the Chandigarh outfit’s gloveman Jaskarenvir Singh off guard as the ball whipped past him into the back of the net. Barely had Royal Wahingdoh's celebrations died down, Minerva equalised in the 80th minute with a neat strike by their captain and key player, Rheadolf Nelson Nongneng Daloih.
As the teams were locked 1-1 at regulation time, the match moved towards extra time of half an hour duration, but attempts at either goal did not bear fruition. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Minerva prevailed 4-3. While Thounaojam, Anwar Ali, Moirangthem Givson Singh and Prasan Chettri struck for the eventual victors, for Royal Wahingdoh Freestar Kharbangar, Kynsailang Khongsit and Bijay Rai found the back of the net. The champion side was determined by the fifth strike with Royal Wahingdoh’s F Hmingsang Zuali shot rebounding off the crossbar and Minerva sealing the game with Prasan Chettri hoodwinking the keeper, sparking wild celebrations from their camp.
