Ludhiana: The first match of the Hero I-League 2017-18 went off to a cracking start as Minerva Punjab held Kolkata Giants Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw at the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium, in Ludhiana on Saturday. captain Sony Norde gave Bagan the lead, before Moinuddin scored a second-last minute goal, to bring home one valuable point for the ‘Warriors.’
Playing only their second season in the top-most divison of Indian football, Minerva dominated the proceedings and had more possession of the ball as Bagan approached a cautious mode in the first half. ‘Bhutanese Ronaldo’ Chencho Gyeltshen playing in the left was central to most of the home side’s attacks in the first half, but failed to score a goal, despite making some wonderful bursts into the opposition box.
Bagan although playing alert, looked dangerous everytime they surged forward. Norde came close to giving Mariners the lead in the 29th minute, but his resulting free-kick missed the left post by a whisker. However, it was indeed the Haitian who scored Bagan’s opening goal in this year’s league, dribbling past three defenders with sheer pace and brilliance before placing it in the bottom left corner, to give his side a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The second-half began in a similar manner as Minerva continued having more possession of the ball and showed more urgency in attacks. The ‘Punjab Lions’ could have well gone ahead but substitue Lago missed a glorious chance to score, after Girik Khosla had send in a defence- splitting pass. The home team were also quite unlucky as Bagan made a goal line clearance on one occasion, while Lago but the upright on another.
Meanwhile, The Mariners could have added a second but substitute SK Faiaz field to connect the ball, in front of an empty net. Norde who was central to most of Bagan’s attacks sent in a wonderful low cross that evaded everyone including the goalie, but Faiaz field to get a touch depriving Bagan of a two goal cushion. They will regret it later, when another Minerva substitue Moinuddin scored from a breath-taking volley in the 89th minute to send the crowd into raptures and equalise.
The goal broke Bagan hearts who had the lead and by the time the equaliser was scored, they may have well thought of taking three points home. Nonetheless, Minerva showed the fighting spirit despite being new and more than a point, the goal lifted their spirits, for the matches to come.