Dhaka: Former I-League champions Minerva Punjab FC were held to a 2-2 draw by Abahani Dhaka of Bangladesh in their AFC Cup match here on Wednesday. Mahmoud Al Amnah (16th) and Sreyas Gopalan (42nd) scored for Minerva while, Nabib Newas Jibon (20th) and Sunday Chizoba (48th) were on target for the home side in the Group E match at Bangabandhu National Stadium. Minerva Punjab made two changes to the playing eleven which played out a goal-less stalemate against Chennaiyin FC in their opening match with goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy and midfielder Harminder Singh being handed the starts.
The Punjab-based side are still searching for their maiden win in the AFC Cup. Sunday Chizoba showed the home side’s intent when he fired a shot just wide in the first minute itself but Minerva responded immediately with a powerful strike from Mahmoud Al Amnah which Abahani goalkeeper Shahidul Alam did well to tip it over. A touch of quality almost put Minerva in front when Al Amnah’s deep cross from the right was brilliantly controlled by Samuel Lalmuanpuia before he curled just wide of the top-right corner.
Minerva took the lead when a low cross from Makan Chote was turned in by Al Amnah in the 16th minute. Abahani soon responded and they equalised just four minutes later when Sohel Rana’s cross was fire in by Nabib Jibon. The home side then saw Chizoba’s shot saved by Minerva goalie Bhaskar Roy before the follow-up was cleared off the line. Kervens Belfort then found Chizoba after a surging run through the middle and the Nigerian made space for a shot but fired just over from 20 yards.
Minerva regained the lead after a dreadful defensive error in the 42nd minute. A misplaced pass across the 18-yard line was seized upon by substitute Sreyas Gopalan who smashed the ball into the corner. Gopalan had replaced midfielder Harminder Singh after 38 minutes.