Panchkula: Rising above expectations, would possibly be the one thing Minerva Punjab coach Khogen Singh would have learnt both as a player and coach after doing exactly that in the short career he has had in the game.
After a disappointing campaign in their debut season at the I-League last year, not many expected Minerva Punjab to be title contenders — that they are now —- in the very next season. But with Singh at the helm and a group of players that swear to grill out wins, the Chandigarh based club have punched above their weight defying expectations.
Currently leading the table after a vital 2-0 victory over defending champions Aizawl FC, their first win in three matches, Minerva have already secured a direct qualification into the Super Cup — a tournament where both the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League will be pitted against each other.
With the amount of money the ISL franchises spend on securing signatures of each player for a single season, the country’s new hot-favourite is surely expected be the superior in comparison to the I-League. But Minerva coach Singh is out with a task and promises to show it in the Super Cup.
“Will show that the I-League teams are as good the ISL ones,” he said after Minerva defeated Aizawl 2-0 at home on Monday.
Despite the effort and money put into the ISL, there is still hardly any difference in the quality of football both teams play, he added. And if there is any plan it has to be of disparities with the no of foreign players and money.
“I think there is not much difference in the quality of the play but I just think the ISL has more foreign players. I think money wise there is a difference but game-wise there is none,” added the former Air India player.
As a player Singh’s Air India will always rise in the occasion against the big boys and deliver and Minerva have so well learnt to do the same.
The Super Cup finals will be played between March 21 to April 22. Top six teams of both the ISL and I-League will get an direct entry into the 16 team tournament. While the rest will have to go through qualifiers.