Internet Desk: Minerva Academy FC were held to a goalless draw by Gangtok Himalayan SC in their 3rd match of Second Division League final round.
Despite the draw, Minerva maintained the 2nd position in the table with 5 points, courtesy of a win against Mohammedan Sporting Club and goalless draws against NEROCA FC and Gangtok Himalayan SC.
The match, played at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, started off at a brisk pace with both the sides looking to take the lead.
The home side were the first to test Minerva Goal Keeper when Nadong Bhutia unleashed a scorcher from the edge of the box, forcing Arshdeep Singh to make a flying save. Minervan’s hit back instantly with Sajandeep and Taranjit playing a beautiful one-two before rolling it for Sehijpal to take a blasting shot, which missed the far post by a inch.
The attacks kept on exchanging with both the keepers coming up with some brilliant saves at each end. There was a scary moment in the match when Gangtok’s captain Bhaichung Bhutia got injured while negating a Minerva attack. He was immediately taken to the hospital and when report last arrived, he was said to be stable.
The match continued in the same vein after the break with both the sides playing attacking brand of football, desperate to pocket the important three points. But in the end, all attempts went futile for both the teams as they couldn’t break the deadlock.
Gangtok are on 2 points from 3 matches, courtesy of two draws with Minerva and Lonestar Kashmir FC.
Minerva will now come back home and prepare for 3 back-to-back home matches to be played in Chandigarh starting April 13.
On April 13, Minerva will host 5 times I-League champions Dempo SC, before Lonestar Kashmir and Gangtok Himalayan comes visiting on April 24 and 29 respectively.
All the matches will be played at the Sector 17 stadium in Chandigarh.