I-League: Shivajians host Minerva in their final fixture

Seventh placed DSK Shivajians FC will today host bottom-placed Minerva Punjab FC at Balewadi Stadium, Pune in their last I-League game of the season.

Reverse fixture ended in a 0-0 stalemate back in February.

Hosts DSK are looking to bounce back after 3 consecutive defeats. After a 5-0 big win over Mumbai FC in Maha Derby before the International break, they lost out to Shillong Lajong, East Bengal and suffered a seven-goal drubbing by Bengaluru FC.

Dave Rogers, head coach of the Pune-based side, would look to end this campaign on a high for his young developmental squad.

Travelling side Minerva Punjab are also on the receiving end of a bad home form. In their last 5 games at Guru Nanak Stadium, they managed just 1 point. Their last game, away at East Bengal, ended in a 3-1 defeat.

This has resulted in them in being rock bottom at 10th place but "corporate entry scheme" will save them from relegation though. Owner/Manager Ranjit Bajaj and head coach Surinder Singh will be searching for their first win since February.

DSK's Assistant Manager John Andrews, who spoke to the media on Saturday in the absence of Dave Rogers was confident of a good display of football from their side, "We are realistic and want to qualify for the Federation Cup, we know Minerva is a good side and we have to play well to match them."

Minerva's Surinder Singh updated us with his team news, "We lost our momentum in the last few games, we need to bounce back and end this campaign on a high so that we come back stronger in the next season and learn from our first experience of the I-League.