I-League winning Minerva Punjab midfielder on Chelsea FC radar
Minerva Punjab’s pleasant run continues on an off the field, as one of their architects of the I-League winning squad, William Opoku, the Ghanaian midfielder gets an incredible opportunity to give his trial at Premier League side Chelsea FC (In their reserves team), claimed Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj.
As per Mr Bajaj, if Opoku can clear the trials, he will be the first foreign player ever to get featured in a Premier League squad after playing in the I-League. In an interaction with www.xtratime.in he said, “Opoku sent his videos to Chelsea after the I-League got over. They were so impressed that they have called him for the trials for the Reserves team. He is in The U.K now.”
Opoku was a significant part of the I-League champions team as he initiated a lot of goal scoring moves on the heart of the midfield. Bajaj also said, “If he doesn’t get the chance to play over there, he promised me to come back at Minerva for the next season.”
We can finish among the top two from our group in Asian Cup- Bhaichung Bhutia
The former India international also talked about the approach and significance of the tournament to the country.
Legendary Indian Footballer Bhaichung Bhutia is “happy” about the group India have drawn in the AFC Asian Cup 2019. In an exclusive interview, Bhutia, the sole Indian Footballer till date to have played in over 100 International matches mentioned “India can finish among the top two in the group” and qualify to the round of 16. Here are the excerpts.
What do you think of India’s draw in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019?
I am very happy with the group which we have drawn. I feel we have been extremely lucky as we didn’t draw any Asian Superpower – Iran, Japan, Australia and the Korea Republic -- in our group. Every pot had six teams and from Pot A we avoided all the teams who have qualified for the 2018 World Cup.
So you feel it’s an easy group?
In International Football nothing is easy. But in comparison to the group in Doha 2011 where we were clubbed with the then World Cuppers Australia and the Korea Republic, this looks good, or should I say favourable. Not to forget that the other team in our group in 2011 was Bahrain, and they had played the World Cup play-offs from Asia too (for World Cup South Africa 2010).
Do you think we can make it to the round of 16 this time around?
I feel that we can finish among the top two from our group and qualify to the Round of 16. I understand it’s not that easy but it’s also not impossible. With a fair deal of hard work and a bit of luck, we can achieve it.
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Can you elaborate?
Physically and mentally we need to prepare ourselves for our best and that always adds to the confidence. Perhaps this is the first-ever time when India are ranked 2nd among the four teams in the group. Admit or deny, it’s bound to have a very significant impact on the mentality of the players.
I reiterate you need to approach it with caution. But it’s possible.
How should the team approach it?
Just putting in hard work won’t always get you there. You need to have the self-belief and the vision along with it as it can do wonders. The attitude of ‘we can do it’ defines great teams. In such tournaments, mere putting in your 100 percent won’t work. You need to put in that extra effort which can sail you through.
What’s the significance of qualifying to the AFC Asian Cup in Indian Football?
It’s very important for Indian Football to qualify to the AFC Asian Cup on a regular basis. It is the biggest tournament for us – the Continental Championship. That’s the platform where we get to play against the best Asian players who play all over the world. Such tournaments come as a learning curve and is a huge publicity for Indian Football.
League matches started in Kavaratti( Lakshadweep ).
Five teams are playing in the league. Teams can involve four players from their surrounding islands in their playing eleven,moreover two players from Mainland
A 3-0 win against Mohammedan Sporting in the final secured the maiden U-13 league trophy for the I-League champions...
Minerva Punjab beat Mohammedan Sporting 3-0 to secure the maiden U-13 Youth League title at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday. Himanshu Jangra's second-half brace after Longjam Singh's early first-half goal sealed the win for the Punjab-based club.
With the U-13 title in the bag, Minerva Punjab have picked up their third silverware this year. They had won the U-15 league title (Nike Premier Cup) in February and the senior team won the I-League title earlier this season.
The U-13 team of The Warriors, coached by Anthony Andrews, qualified for the semi-finals with a 100% win record from their group. In the semi-final, they thrashed Sudeva Football Club 5-0 to set up a grand finale in Kolkata.
Mohammedan Sporting, who defeated Sports Authority of India 2-0 in the semi-final, succumbed to a 2nd-minute goal. Longjam Swami Singh's header bounced off the surface before hitting the net to give Minerva an early lead.
Although Maheron Singh struck the woodwork soon after the restart, Himanshu Jangra doused the fire with a quick-fire double to help Minerva Punjab become undisputed U-13 champions.
Congrats Minerva, Champions of I-League, U-15 League and now U-13 Youth League...way to go!!
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I-League winning Minerva Punjab midfielder on Chelsea FC radar
Minerva Punjab’s pleasant run continues on an off the field, as one of their architects of the I-League winning squad, William Opoku, the Ghanaian midfielder gets an incredible opportunity to give his trial at Premier League side Chelsea FC (In their reserves team), claimed Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj.
As per Mr Bajaj, if Opoku can clear the trials, he will be the first foreign player ever to get featured in a Premier League squad after playing in the I-League. In an interaction with www.xtratime.in he said, “Opoku sent his videos to Chelsea after the I-League got over. They were so impressed that they have called him for the trials for the Reserves team. He is in The U.K now.”
Opoku was a significant part of the I-League champions team as he initiated a lot of goal scoring moves on the heart of the midfield. Bajaj also said, “If he doesn’t get the chance to play over there, he promised me to come back at Minerva for the next season.”
The former India international also talked about the approach and significance of the tournament to the country. Legendary Indian Footballer Bhaichung Bhutia is “happy” about the group India have drawn in the AFC Asian Cup 2019. In an exclusive interview, Bhutia, the sole Indian Footballer till date to have played in over 100 International matches mentioned “India can finish among the top two in the group” and qualify to the round of 16. Here are the excerpts. What do you think of India’s draw in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019? I am very happy with the group which we have drawn. I feel we have been extremely lucky as we didn’t draw any Asian Superpower – Iran, Japan, Australia and the Korea Republic -- in our group. Every pot had six teams and from Pot A we avoided all the teams who have qualified for the 2018 World Cup. So you feel it’s an easy group? In International Football nothing is easy. But in comparison to the group in Doha 2011 where we were clubbed with the then World Cuppers Australia and the Korea Republic, this looks good, or should I say favourable. Not to forget that the other team in our group in 2011 was Bahrain, and they had played the World Cup play-offs from Asia too (for World Cup South Africa 2010). Do you think we can make it to the round of 16 this time around? I feel that we can finish among the top two from our group and qualify to the Round of 16. I understand it’s not that easy but it’s also not impossible. With a fair deal of hard work and a bit of luck, we can achieve it. ALSO READ India drawn in Asian Cup Group A alongside UAE, Thailand and Bahrain Can India make it out of Group A at the AFC Asian Cup 2019? Indian football and dual citizenship: Is the country missing out on it's own golden generation? Can you elaborate? Physically and mentally we need to prepare ourselves for our best and that always adds to the confidence. Perhaps this is the first-ever time when India are ranked 2nd among the four teams in the group. Admit or deny, it’s bound to have a very significant impact on the mentality of the players. I reiterate you need to approach it with caution. But it’s possible. How should the team approach it? Just putting in hard work won’t always get you there. You need to have the self-belief and the vision along with it as it can do wonders. The attitude of ‘we can do it’ defines great teams. In such tournaments, mere putting in your 100 percent won’t work. You need to put in that extra effort which can sail you through. What’s the significance of qualifying to the AFC Asian Cup in Indian Football? It’s very important for Indian Football to qualify to the AFC Asian Cup on a regular basis. It is the biggest tournament for us – the Continental Championship. That’s the platform where we get to play against the best Asian players who play all over the world. Such tournaments come as a learning curve and is a huge publicity for Indian Football.
Five teams are playing in the league.
Teams can involve four players from their surrounding islands in their playing eleven,moreover two players from Mainland
Minerva Punjab win U-13 Youth League title
Minerva Punjab beat Mohammedan Sporting 3-0 to secure the maiden U-13 Youth League title at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday. Himanshu Jangra's second-half brace after Longjam Singh's early first-half goal sealed the win for the Punjab-based club.
With the U-13 title in the bag, Minerva Punjab have picked up their third silverware this year. They had won the U-15 league title (Nike Premier Cup) in February and the senior team won the I-League title earlier this season.
The U-13 team of The Warriors, coached by Anthony Andrews, qualified for the semi-finals with a 100% win record from their group. In the semi-final, they thrashed Sudeva Football Club 5-0 to set up a grand finale in Kolkata.
Mohammedan Sporting, who defeated Sports Authority of India 2-0 in the semi-final, succumbed to a 2nd-minute goal. Longjam Swami Singh's header bounced off the surface before hitting the net to give Minerva an early lead.
Although Maheron Singh struck the woodwork soon after the restart, Himanshu Jangra doused the fire with a quick-fire double to help Minerva Punjab become undisputed U-13 champions.
Congrats Minerva, Champions of I-League, U-15 League and now U-13 Youth League...way to go!!
Ranjit Bajaj has been badly fooled