By Minerva Academy FC Media

CHANDIGARH: Having started the U-18 I-League campaign on a positive note, Minerva Academy FC youths will look forward to another 3 points when they face Fateh Hyderabad AFC at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Wednesday. The match is slated for a 11:00 AM kick-off.

With confidence sky-high after drubbing Bengaluru FC 2-0 in the opening fixture, the young Minervans are all geared up again for the challenge despite just the one-day recovery time. The good news is that all the players are fit and are hungry to emulate the senior’s 4-match winning run.

Meanwhile Fateh Hyderabad, which suffered a 1-6 reverse against Lonestar Kashmir FC, will look to make a strong comeback against the Pride of Punjab. But they will have to be extraordinary to seal a point from this match because Minervans will not only look to win, but score ruthlessly to catch up with the goal difference that LKFC enjoys.

Speaking about the match tomorrow, head coach Keshav Dutt said, “We will go into the match aiming for 3 points again. Opponents doesn’t change our approach to the game. We have a specific style of play and we will stick to that.”

On being asked if Fateh’s debacle is playing in the mind of the players, he said, “Definitely, they were looking to much into that and were a bit complacent. After all, they are still kids, But as a coach, its my duty to keep my boys grounded as it is a new match all together and a good performance can only help us win the match. Matches are not won looking back at the pasts.”

Working hard to keep the players in shape is Physio Abdul Wahid. Players have been lining up in his room to get their discomforts and niggles treated.

“Its a big challenge for a Physio when a team play tournaments with back-to-back matches. Injuries are bound to come and I have to ensure that they get back to fitness in a day. Luckily for me still, there is no major injury as the boys have had a very good pre-season,” said Wahid, as goal scorer Subham Sarangi came in to get a treatment.

While stretching him out, Subham said, “I think we will beat Hyderabad comfortably if we again play like the way we played against Bengaluru FC.” Having said that, he realised coach’s advice of not to be complacent and continued, “It’s a new match, so we will have to start a fresh again. The team which play well in the 90 minutes will win,” he concluded.