Minerva Punjab FC will eye an outright win to clinch their maiden Hero I-League title when they host relegation-threatened Churchill Brothers FC Goa in an intriguing final round match, here tomorrow. However, it won't be easy for Minerva as Churchill are expected to go all out to avoid relegation at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium. The I-League title race this year is down to the most dramatic final day in the competition's history with as many as four contenders, across three matches, seeking a coronation to remember. The title looked wrapped up a few days ago but leaders Minerva's shocking defeat to Chennai City once again left the race for the silverware tantalisingly poised. On the eve of the last round matches, Minerva led the chasing pack with 33 points, even as East Bengal slipped to fourth (30 points) behind Neroca FC (31) and Mohun Bagan (30). All these four teams are in with a chance and play their respective matches simultaneously. Minerva are the only team amongst the four who don't depend on any other outcome to triumph the league if they secure all three points against the Red Machines. Meanwhile, they hold a slender chance to win the league with a draw or worse, given that other two outcomes in Kolkata and Kozhikode go accordingly. Meanwhile, it will also be a do-or-die game for Churchill as they battle for survival in the top division of Indian football. Churchill Brothers are currently sitting on 17 points with one match left and anything less than a win can't avert the peril for the Goan outfit. The away team coach Alfred Fernandes said that this match is crucial for the future of Churchill as well as Minerva. It's a very important match for the team. For Minerva its a do-or-die match to win the I-League and for us also it's a do-or-die match for survival in the I-League. It's a tough match and whoever will take their chances, will come out as winners. It's all about keeping yourself cool and expect a very tough match, he said in the pre-match press conference. Fernandes also mentioned that a new era in Indian football beckons where new clubs are taking over the legacy. Earlier, the legacy clubs were walking away with the honours. Now it's good for Indian football that smaller clubs are fighting neck-to-neck with the clubs.
Only Indian football will benefit from this, he added. Minerva head coach Khogen Singh simply believes that his side needs to focus on their game rather than keeping an eye on other two matches. We don't need to think about others, we have to just concentrate on our game. We have to win our game. Our aim, our objective, our motto is to win the match. If we win this match, we will end up as the winners," Khogen said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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