I-League: Special bond among players is Minerva Punjab FC's success mantra

ILeague champions Minerva Punjab FC in Chandigarh yesterdayMinerva Punjab FC created history by becoming the first side from Punjab to win the Ileague in 21 years yesterday when William Asiedu Opokus 15thminute strike proved to be the decider in a 10 win over Churchill Brothers in Panchukula The now defunct JCT was the only other Punjab outfit to have won the inaugural National championship later renamed ILeague in 199697Its an epic win for the Minerva ideology considering their junior team also emerged victorious in the youth league earlier this year The clubs only two Mumbaibased players Girik Khosla and Abhishek Ambekar explain whats special about MinervaThere is a unique bond between the players coaching staff and team management If any of the juniors need help the seniors immediately step in Off the field too we have no hesitation in discussing our problems with each other at all times Khosla 23 a centre forward and resident of Sion Koliwada told midday over the phone from a raucous Minerva dressing room yesterdayDefender Ambekar a Santacruz resident said the clubs stringent training regime helps players bond better We had to undergo some rigorous hydrotherapy and yo yo tests preseason All this made us tough and we developed that fighting attitude The rigorous training saw us helping each other to ensure every player pulled through That automatically brought us together said Ambekar 26 who has previously plied his trade for Air India Mumbai Tigers and Mumbai FCBoth players however admitted they went to Punjab only because Mumbai offered no ILeague exposure I am really disappointed that there is no ILeague team from Mumbai I was the skipper of the Mumbai FC U19 team said Khosla I would love Mumbai to have at least two ILeague clubs All of us cannot afford to go out and play Thankfully this Minerva experience has been very rewarding added AmbekarMeanwhile Minerva Punjabs ace Bhutanese forward Chencho Gyeltshen admitted the bond his teammates share at the club is something he would share in hiscountry as well Whatever activities we did we did it together even in our apartment all of us ate together Recently during training we found one of the players to be having an off day We called it a day and headed to watch Black Panther Gyeltshen nicknamed as Ronaldo of Bhutan said Im his fan and I celebrate like himCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go