AGENCIES, PANCHKULA: Defending champions Minerva Punjab played their first match of the 12th I-League season hosting Goan giants Churchill Brothers FC on home turf at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Chandigarh.
The two sides split points in a goalless draw at the end of 90 minutes, in a match characterised by the missing final ball and a dearth of imagination in attack. Churchill Brothers gave a good account of themselves while Minerva showed glimpses of what they are capable of in the second half, but both teams failed to break the deadlock.
Churchill Bros new coach for the season Romanian Petre Gigiu opted for a more conservative 4-4-2 formation with Trinidadian Willis Plaza and and Gambian Dawda Cessay upfront with a four man midfield led by Ugandan Khalid Aucho and Richard Costa at its heart.
Lamgoulen Hangshing was their under-22 pick in midfield and the youngster certainly impressed in the game before he was replaced early in the second half, with his technique and vision. James Kithan was preferred in goal and the four-man backline was led by the likes of Lebanese Hussein Eldor and Mohanraj.
The Goan side however had the better of the exchanges in the first half, led by good performances by Cessay in particular who was the most enterprising, as well as Aucho and Hangshing in midfield.
