Second Division i-League: Minerva Academy FC thrash PIFA Sports

Aji Demenenge shines for Minerva Academy FC
as they crush PIFA Sports, Second Division i-League 2015-16

Aji Demenenge finally gets his name on the score sheet with a brace to help Minerva Academy FC beat PIFA Sports FC 5-0 at the All Saints School Ground in Bhiwandi, Mumbai on Thursday. Prabhjot Singh also scored a brace to stamp Minerva’s authority after Sehijpal continued with his scoring spree.

Coach Surinder Singh made just one change to the starting line up with the young  Arshdeep Singh  replacing Manvir Singh.

The match started off with Minerva Academy FC right away showing their intention. After gathering just 1 point from the last two matches, Minervans were desperate for a win. They attacked from the word go and wasted no time as they created chances after chances. But it took the team 43 minutes to found the back of the net.

Aji Demenenge rose to the occasion and  broke the deadlock with a thunderous header after Sehijpal did the hard work to send in an inch-perfect cross from the right. The goal also ended Demi’s drought as the Nigerian had failed to find the net on the previous six matches.

The match went into the break with Minerva leading 1-0.

After the break, the visitors continued with their attacking game but unlike the first-half, soon found the rewards.

First it was Aji Demy who scored his 2nd goal of the match in the 51st minute after he latched on to a rebound from Amandeep’s shot to put the ball pass the PIFA goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Sehijpal continued with his goal-scoring spree and found the back of the net as he neatly roll the ball away from the reach of the keeper.

With the scoreline reading 3-0 in the 53rd minute in favour of the Minervans, it looked like the match would slow down. But the Pride of Punjab were hungry for more as the look for more goals. Attacks continued and in the 64th minute, Demi turned the provider for Prabhjot, who scored his first goal of the tournament.

However Aji Demy loss a chance to complete his hat-trick as he was sent off few minutes later after picking up second yellow of the match. Even with 10-man, Minervans didn’t slow down and were rewarded with the 5th goal in the 83rd minute, when Prabhjot scored his 2nd goal of the match.

The win helps Minerva widen the gap at the top to 4 points. They are now on 16 points from 7 matches while Dempo SC follow them with 12 points from 6 matches.

Minerva next play Kenkre FC at home on 12th Jan, which will be their last match of the first round.

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About Debraj Banerjee

Hi, I am Debraj Banerjee from Adra, West Bengal. A keen follower of Indian football and always an optimist that the game will get the recognition it truely deserves. What we ask from you is your support and one day the dream might turn true. Fingers crossed for Indian football. Cheers!

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