Minerva Academy FC will look for a redemption in their 2nd Division journey when they face PIFA Sports in their penultimate match of the 1st round in Mumbai on Thursday
. After a great start to the league with four consecutive wins, MAFC could garner only 1 point from their last two matches. Hence, its critical for the team to get back to winning ways as they look to top the Western Conference.
Minervans come to Mumbai after suffering a 2-1 reverse against Dempo SC last Sunday while the match before that ended with a goalless draw with Kashmir FC in Srinagar. This means that the Minervans have failed to score in close to 200 minutes. Hence, coach Surinder Singh will have lots to address in his scoring department. The main concern of the coach could be the misfiring Aji Demenenge and Manvir Singh.
Speaking to the MAFC Media after the practice session today, coach Surinder Singh said, “Win and loss is part of every league. We started well and have qualified for the next round already. So, this loss has no big consequence on our progress but as a team, we play to win and ending on a losing side is what neither me nor my boys like. But its a game and we have to accept this.”
About his squad for tomorrow, he continues saying, “I have 18 players with me and all are in good shape. I have good options to fall back but I may not alter my playing XI. They were very good against Dempo SC. Its just that we loss to a better team that day.”
On being asked about his forwards who have failed to find the net in the last two matches, coach wasn’t worried at all. “In Kashmir, we were playing in conditions which were all against us. The fact that we could earned a draw in Srinagar speaks volume about my boys quality and character. Against Dempo,we created lots of chances but couldn’t convert them. Hence, its not a big concern for me. If we play well, the goal will come.
Meanwhile host PIFA are yet to win a single match in the league and lie at the bottom of the table with just 2 points from 6 outings. After their famous 2-2 draw with Lonestar in Srinagar, PIFA have conceded 9 goals in their last three matches and have failed to score also. In the first meeting with Minerva in Ludhiana, the Pride of Punjab has triumph 3-0.
However, Minervans cannot effort to rest on recent history but rather look to continue creating history as the team look to widen the gap at the top of the table in the Western Conference.
The match will kick-off at 3:30 PM in All Saints School, Bhiwandi.
