Minerva and Churchill share spoils In Ludhiana

Churchill Brothers played attacking football banking on its lone striker Anthony Wolfe while Minerva, which had lost 0-5 against East Bengal in its last match at home, played high pressing game to prevent attacks from their opponents.

The Hero of the Match was awarded to the Churchill Brother defender Rowilson Rodrigues for his brilliant defending display throughout the course of the game.

After the severe thrashing it received at the hands of East Bengal in its previous match, Minerva Punjab FC put up a decent display to play out a goal-less draw against Churchill Brothers in its sixth round I-League match at the Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

Churchill Brothers played attacking football banking on its lone striker Anthony Wolfe while Minerva, which had lost 0-5 against East Bengal in its last match at home, played high pressing game to prevent attacks from their opponents.

The game saw a lot of end to end action, with Minerva having most of the opportunities. Minerva wasted a chance from a one-on-one situation between David and Churchill custodian Priyant Singh but the home side forward shot wide.

Kareem saw his free kick come off the crossbar after a touch by Priyant.

At the other end, Germanpreet’s cheeky error led to Churchill striker Wolfe finding Lyngdoh but Arashpreet came to Minerva’s rescue.

In the second half, the game began to build up as Minerva and Churchill both started using the width of the field and putting pressure in the opposition halves.

Churchill defender Rowilson came close to scoring after dribbling past Kareem and making a fine shot but it lacked direction.

Victor Amobi was the spearhead along the flanks for Minerva while Keenan Almeida put away the threatening aerial duels. Uttam Rai, after his injury against Aizawl FC, came on, but failed to be a threat putting away a drifted cross from Jewel Raja.

Adil Khan made some ambitious efforts from halfway through, but it did not really trouble Arnab Das, the Minervan custodian.

Minerva now has two points from six matches while Churchill has five from six games.

Adil Khan picked on some ambitious efforts from halfway through, but they didn’t really trouble Arnab Das, the Minervan Custodian. The game was well in the balance till the brink of the moment with end to end tackles flying in and Minerva having two of its attacking players booked in quick successions. The Red Machines played with all grit and determination to slot home another three points, but then it was a share of spoils at full time at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana.

The Hero of the Match was awarded to the Churchill Brother defender Rowilson Rodrigues for his brilliant defending display throughout the course of the game.