By I-League Media

Goa: Goa: Mohammedan SC U15 will take on Minerva Academy FC U15 in the second semi-final of the Nike Premier Cup 2016 on Tuesday.  Minerva Academy FC were declared as the best side in the competition by Royal Wahingdoh coach BI Nongbet who said that they are the team to beat.

Minerva Academy FC were declared as the best side in the competition by Royal Wahingdoh coach BI Nongbet who said that they are the team to beat. “I don’t think there is a better team than Minerva in this tournament. Minerva is in top form,” Nongbet had suggested while commenting on the 2-2 draw between the two sides in the earlier round.

Minerva AFC went on to thrash Ozone Football Academy 4-0 and then carried on a carnage thumping Mumbai FC by a humongous margin of 8-1 on the way to the semi-final. Against Mumbai FC, Minerva AFC were trailing 1-0 before they slammed in eight goals, which was the biggest win in the Nike Premier Cup 2016 final rounds.
However, Minerva coach Franklin Ojeaga refused to get carried away and suggested that the other four teams are also trying every bit to clinch the silverware. “I wouldn’t say we are the best and football actually speaks for itself and the people, who watch the game, will decide the favourites. It is not easy to scrape through the group stages and as the other three teams did that, they all can win the semi-final, eventually, the final,” Franklin said.

Minerva will take on Mohammedan Sporting who progressed into the semi-final after overcoming some tough oppositions in the likes of Pune FC and Salgaocar FC. The Kolkata-based side started out with a 2-1 win over Pune FC before drawing 1-1 against SAI Guwahati and finishing up with a 2-0 win against Salgaocar FC.

Minerva coach Franklin also refused to take Mohammedan SC lightly. “We are not looking down on any team. We hope to play our best and we expect a fight from all the teams that are there in the tournament and that’s why we have to work hard so that we don’t let ourselves down,” the coach said.

Meanwhile, Mohammedan are wary of the threat posed by Minerva and their coach Murari Kar knows that his boys have their task cut out. “The match looks like a very tough game. A club like Minerva AFC are a very tough team,” Murari Kar commented.

“I have not seen any of their matches but I have seen them during practice sessions. I think they are technically a very good side and they have good height and weight when compared to the other teams,” the coach added.