799
Chandigarh, December 23
Minerva Academy Football Club defeated Sher-e-Punjab by six goals in their final qualifying game of the Punjab Super League third division yesterday.
Having already qualified for the second division with six points, the side made nine changes to their squad. Skipper Anwar Ali netted the opening goal in the 11th minute by converting a spot-kick. Gurmukh Singh doubled the lead in the 33rd minute.
The side successfully sealed the first half with a two goal lead. Rhingam, thereafter, scored two back-to-back goals in the 53rd minute and 58th minute to make it 4-0 for the side.
In the 78th minute, Hemant Thakur netted the team’s fifth goal, while Nikhil Mali netted the final goal in the last minute of the match. The side finished the qualifiers with nine points from three matches.
1143
Mohali, December 20
Radhakanta Singh and Nikhil Mali scored three goals each to help Minerva Academy FC defeat East Punjab FC 9-0 in the Punjab Super League Qualifiers at their home ground in Mohali. Radhakanta (44th, 78th, 89th) and Mali (77th, 83rd, 86th) confirmed an easy win for the side.
The host side netted the first goal just before the lemon break when Radhakanta posted the ball over goal line. Thereafter, skipper Anwar Ali scored the second by converting a spot kick in the 69th minute. The lead was extended to 3-0 by Lalrinchhana in the 75th minute, while Mali came to the goal scorer’s list in the 77th minute. In the very minute, Radhakanta scored his second goal to make it 5-0. Mali then scored two back-to-back goals - 83rd minute and 86th minute - to make it a convenient 7-0. Towards the end of the match, Radhakanta scored another goal in the 89th minute, while Ali posted his second in the extra time to seal an easy 9-0 win.