Fujairah: The Minerva Punjab Academy products have always been the best of their kind and the case has not been altered even at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. With the two matches that have already been underway, With India brilliantly winning the first one against Oman, but unfortunately slipped in the second against UAE, the nation could not help but laud the performances of the young boys.
These Minervans make it to @IndianFootball's final 23-man squad for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers! 🤩
We wish them all the very best for the tournament. #Warriors#TheFactory#ChakDePhatte @JeaksonT@HormipamRuivah@NarenderGahlot pic.twitter.com/h0LBwc23Xl
— Minerva Academy Football & Cricket Club (@minervapunjabfc) October 24, 2021
While Minervans -Vikram Pratap Singh and Narender Gahlot have already been impressive enough here’s to taking a look at all the four Minervans at the tournament:
#Vikram Pratap Singh- Anyone and everyone who watched India vs Oman, would probably not be over the amazing goal scored by Vikram. The 19-year-old has risen through the ranks of Minerva itself, currently plying his trade in Mumbai City FC in the Super League. He had also been a part of AIFF’S Indian Arrows and has been their top scorer with four goals in the 2019-20 season.
#Narender Gahlot- The 20-year-old defender started his career with Minerva before becoming a young sensation and joining the Indian Arrows project. Narender found his next destination at Jamshedpur FC and has already made 25 appearances for the team. He has been absolutely rock-solid in the defense for India, easing it up so much for custodian Dheeraj Singh.
#Jeakson Singh- No one in India can ever forget him, or rather should. As a 16-year-old Jeakson scored the only goal for India in a FIFA World Cup during the U-17 FIFA World Cup, 82nd-minute header to equalize against Columbia. Jeakson had also come into prominence through Minerva but currently plays for Kerala Blasters in ISL. The 19-year-old had already made his senior national team debut earlier this month in the SAFF Championship, of which India emerged victoriously.
#Hormipam Ruivah- The 2020-21 I-League Defender of the season for Round glass Punjab had also risen through the ranks of Minerva Punjab. The supremely talented center back had also been a part of the AIFF’s Indian Arrows project before joining Round glass. This year, Hormipam will be seen taking the field for Kerala Blasters.
As visioned, Minerva continues to produce talents at the top level for the national team, and the performances of the youngsters provide immense proof so as to why this academy is considered to be one of the best if not the best in the country.
