MINERVA FOOTBALL ACADEMY REGIN SUPREME

Chandigarh, 30^th September, 2016: Minerva Football Academy Chandigarh defeated Chandigarh Football Association to lift 14^th Administrator’s Challenge Cup All India Football Tournament for boys U-17 by 3-0 in the final match played at Sector-17 Football Stadium.

Both the teams adopted cautious approach right from the word go. Minerva lads were determined to maintain their winning sphere but Chandigarh lads slowed down the pace of the game and succeeded to stop Minerva to score any goal upto half time interval. Chandigarh lads adopted defensive strategy and posted 6 players in defence line and the star striker of Minerva Nongdamba was stopped by shadow tactics by Gurkirat of Chandigarh. However both the teams came up with couple of brilliant moves in between but failed to capsize.

After playing the barren first half Minerva lads adopted tactics of using their wings in order to drag the defenders of Chandigarh away from their concentrated area. In the 48^th minute of play Minerva lads initiated a move from the left flank their speedy forward Amarjeet took the ball from mid way and dribble past inside the penalty area of Chandigarh and he sent a grounder cross towards Nongdamba but the ball was intercepted by defender Balbir of Chandigarh but the ball was deflected and entered the goal of Chandigarh. Scoring the first goal, the Minerva lads increased the pace of the game. Thoiba scored the second goal for Minerva in the 71^st minute of play with his solo efforts. He controlled the ball from the right flank and after dribbling two Chandigarh defenders scored the goal.

Minerva lads succeeded with their changed tactics and were able to clinch the title. Their third goal was scored by star striker in the 89^th minute of play and consolidated the tally. Minerva Academy besides glittering Administrator’s Challenge cup also got prize money of Rs. 3.00 lacs. The Runners up Trophy and cheque of Rs. 1.50 lacs was awarded to Chandigarh Football Association. Third position holder were given cheque of Rs. 75,000/-.

Earlier the players of both the teams were introduced by today’s Chief Guest Hon'ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh Sh. V.P. Singh Badnore. Dr.  S.B. Deepak Kumar, IAS, Secretary Sports, Sh. Jatinder Yadav, IAS , Capt. Karnail Singh, PCS, Director Sports and Sh. S.K. Joshi, District Sports Officer were also present on the occasion.