FATORDA: Minerva Punjab FC blanked FC Pune City 2-0 to lift the Elite U-18 league title, at Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, on Friday.
FC Pune City started the first half on a better note and Minerva were made to defend.
In the fifth minute, FC Pune City sounded the warning when medio Nonglei Meetei’s snap shot was well blocked by the Punjab goalkeeper Devbanshi Dabas.
Two minutes later, FC Pune City nearly broke the deadlock when Mark Zothanpuia’s well executed free-kick was equally parried away by the Minerva goalkeeper but Nonglei Meetei made a mess of it by shooting the ball wide from close range.
At the other end, Minerva Punjab FC who took time to regroup had a chance to surge ahead in the 22nd minute as Luntinmang Haoip sprinted down the rival penalty box was foiled by rival defender Kishan Singh with neat tackles.
FC Pune City could have taken the lead at half time but the Minerva Punjab goalkeeper Dabas came to his side rescue as he brought up a superb save off Mark Zothanpuia in injury time.
Minerva Punjab FC goalkeeper Dabas stole the limelight as he showed fine reflexes and anticipation to keep the rival forwards at bay.
In the second half, Minerva Punjab FC came up with renewed ideas and quality.
Both the teams had a chance. First, Mark Zothanpuia and RV Hormipan of FC Pune City squandered chances.
Minerva Punjab FC broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when Makan Winnkle Chothe picked up a through pass from Luntimang Haokip and the former beat the rival goalkeeper with a stiff shot.
Minerva laid siege on the FC Pune City goal and scored the second goal after Morkangthem Thoiba Siingh’s well executed free-kick eluded the rival goalkeeper.
In the injury time, captian Malsawmtluanga’s free-kick was saved by the rival goalkeeper.
Minerva Punjab FC were awarded Rs 5 lakhs while FC Pune City bagged Rs 1,50,000.
Benaulim MLA and GFA president Churchill Alemao was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Sunanda Dhar, CEO of I-League, Savio Madeira,Technical Director of AIFF and VM Prabhudessai SAG Executive Director.
