Defending champions Minerva Punjab FC begin their title defence in the Hero I-League with a home game against Goan giants Churchill Brothers here Sunday.
The 'Warriors' from Punjab have a 2-1 head-to-head advantage going into the game with the former two-time winners.
Both teams have new strategists at the helm in the form of Irishman Paul Munster for the champions and Romanian Petre Gigiu for the Goans and with new look squads from last year, it will be interesting to see what impressions they form at the beginning of the season.
Technical director and UEFA Pro-license holder coach Paul Munster, is a 36-year old who played as a striker in Canada and comes to India after successful coaching stints in Sweden with youth teams.
It should hold them in good stead because Minerva is known for their good youth setup as well as for scouting and nurturing good young talent, in their brief but impressive history so far.
He sounded professional in the build-up opining and said, "We are the champions and so every team will be up against us. The players need to step up. Once the game starts, its all about the two teams and 90 minutes out at the pitch."
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