Minerva Punjab hope for a good start at new home against Shillong Lajong

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Panchkula, February 6: Stakes will be touching the sky when Minerva Punjab will host Shillong Lajong at their newly-built stadium, Tau Devi Lal Stadium, in Panchkula on Wednesday (February 7).

Home side Minerva Punjab come into this match after a shock defeat at the hands of Churchill Brothers, which also ended their unbeaten run in the I-League. Minerva Punjab (26 points) are only second to NEROCA FC (27 points in 14 matches) on the points table with two games in hand.\

A win for them will mean big pressure on NEROCA and fellow rivals East Bengal in the title race.

On being asked about the shift in venue from Ludhiana to Panchkula. Minerva Punjab head coach Wangkhem Khogen Singh replied, "The stadium is closer to our academy so we expect more home support here. This is our home and I think more people will come to support us tomorrow. We have practised on this ground for last a few days."

Khogen Singh also told media that his team is not suffering from any injury and any change in his side will be a result of a change in tactics.

"Every match is like a final for us now. We have to take three points from all the remaining matches," he said.

Abhishek Ambekar, who has started most of the matches for Minerva from the left-back position, said he needs to work on his basics.

"I have to maintain my consistency in the next few matches and hopefully get a call for the national team. That's my aim. My favourite foot is left but I can manage with both feet and I feel the combination between me and striker Chencho Gyeltshen is going well," he said.

Title to lose

A probability analysis says Minerva Punjab are favourites to win the I-League.

Visiting party

Shillong Lajong players during a training session ahead of their I-League match against Minerva Punjab

New beginning at new stadium

Minerva Punjab will play the match against Shillong Lajong at their new home venue in Panchkula.

Challenge for Bobby Nongbet

Shillong Lajong are at the risk of being overtaken in the I-League table by rivals Aizawl FC and Churchill Brothers.

New signing

Former East Bengal player Bazie Armand joined Minerva Punjab recently.

Stats don't lie

Minerva Punjab need to retain possession more to do well against Shillong Lajong

Shillong Lajong, on the other hand, lost their last encounter at home against Mohun Bagan by three goals. A defeat for them will push them into the bottom half of table. Bobby Nongbet must be worried about these stats and would be definitely looking to change their away fortunes.

On being asked the importance of this game and remaining matches Shillong Lajong head coach Bobby Nongbet said, "We have only four matches left in the league and we will fight for every point possible to finish our season as strong as possible."

Meanwhile, Lajong captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia, who trained in Chandigarh for five years, felt it was like a homecoming for him. "This is a homecoming for me. Chandigarh is like my second home," he replied.

Minerva Punjab vs Shillong Lajong

I-League

Live from Panchkula

At 2 pm (Wednesday, February 7)

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar

Chennai City FC vs Mohun Bagan

I-League

Live from Coimbatore

At 5.30 pm (Wednesday, February 7)

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar

Source: AIFF Media