I-League Preview: Minerva pulls up socks to spoil Churchill’s party

"We’re prepared now for our next challenge and we like to bring the team up with confidence. The boys need confidence and once we have won three points, our morale will rise up." Punjab's coach Surinder Singh said.

"We’ll definitely attack, but once we lose the possession, we have to defend no matter what.", Punjab coach Surinder said.

Churchill Brothers F.C. Goa, will face Minerva Punjab F.C. at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Wednesday.

Coach of Churchill Brothers F.C. Goa, Alfred Fernandes and central defender Meldon D’Silva attended the press conference along with Punjab's manager, Surinder Singh and the winger Simranjeet Singh.

On being asked whether he’ll tweak the strategies after the last defeat at home, Surinder claims it was a tough opponent to meet at home and there were few defending mistakes which cost them a defeat.

“We’re prepared now for our next challenge and we like to bring the team up with confidence. The boys need confidence and once we have won three points, our morale will rise up.” Surinder added.

When asked if the home side will prefer to attack, Surinder states, “We’ll definitely attack, but once we lose the possession, we have to defend no matter what.”

When asked about the conditions of the pitch and travel conditions, Alfred Fernandes said, “We have to get through this phase. We’re part of I-League before.

"We’re used to travelling around, but we only have little time to practice, which is tough on the players. The schedule is such that there can be no complaints because it’s the same for all times."

When asked about playing two matches in four days, Surinder Singh states, “We need to bear this schedule we got and we have to put our effort in training also and we have to manage recovery for our players for our next game”.

About asked how defeating Bengaluru F.C. might have given the Churchill boys much-needed confidence, “When we go out on the field, it’s always 3 points in mind.

"Sometimes strategies fail, sometimes it works. I was the first to congratulate Bengaluru F.C. for its AFC campaign. It was a fabulous achievement for Indian football.”

Upon asking Simranjeet about the hectic journey for Minerva, he adds that “Yes, last defeat was a huge one for us, but now that we have Colm Sir with us, and daily we get to hear our errors and in training we work on that and we are sure will improve in the next match”.

About the weather in Ludhiana and if Melvin D’Silva and his team find it difficult to cope up, Meldon comments, “It’s cold, we have to adapt to this climate and play. In Goa, it’s very hot now”.