Minerva resume I-League with return-leg clash against Shillong Lajong

Their hopes of defending the title now quashed, Minerva Punjab FC resume their I-League campaign with a 14th round clash against bottom-placed Shillong Lajong here Friday.

The first-leg at the JLN stadium in Shillong ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

Minerva have not won in over a month and a half and the last points Shillong picked up was against their Friday hosts in the first leg over two months back.

Minerva managed a last-gasp equaliser in their previous game at the same venue against Gokulam Kerala and their search for goals and goal-scorers continue this season.

Three of the mere seven goals that Minerva have scored in the 13 games played so far, have come from defenders, including last week's lone goal against Gokulam. Irish coach Paul Munster will be a worried man with the AFC Champions League games getting closer by the day.

He seemed to be acknowledging the problem in the pre-game presser, when he said, "We have used seven strikers and it wasn't good enough. We lacked in concentration and also made a few mistakes which the boys are working on.

"We have a new dimension on the attacking line now. We just want to keep up the hard work."
"We have scored and conceded goals. Our last match against Kashmir was good. We are looking at scoring more goals. We have played good matches with enriching experiences. They will help us in playing this season and for the next season."