Minerva Public School, representing the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), swept into the knockout stages of the 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament (Junior Boys Under-17) after thrashing Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) 11-0 at the PPFG Ground in New Delhi.
The victory capped an emphatic group-stage run for the Chandigarh-based academy side, who secured three straight wins without conceding a single goal.
Deploying their signature high-pressing 4-3-3 formation, Minerva dismantled NVS’s 5-4-1 defensive setup from the outset. Chetan T. led the offensive charge with a hat-trick, while Raj and K. Chetan netted a brace each.
Scoring opened early when winger Mahesh beat his marker on the right flank and whipped in a cross for Chetan T. to head into the far corner. Minutes later, defender Sailex pounced on a weak clearance outside the box and unleashed a 25-yard strike into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Minerva continued to dictate terms as Raj intercepted a misjudged backpass to slot past the keeper, and K. Chetan scrambled home a loose ball inside the six-yard box. Chetan T. and Raj added their second goals of the morning through coordinated open play and a corner kick, respectively, sending Minerva into half-time with total control.
The second-half substitutions further widened the gap. Chetan T. completed his hat-trick with a composed low drive past two retreating defenders, while substitute Yohenba curled a strike into the top corner from the left flank. K. Chetan secured his brace in a goalmouth scramble, before substitutes Rokash and Ranjan capped the scoreline with sharp finishes in transition.
Brief Scores:
Result: Minerva Public School (CISCE) 11 beat Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) 0
Venue: PPFG Ground, New Delhi
Scorers: Chetan T. (3), Raj (2), K. Chetan (2), Sailex, Yohenba, Rokash, Ranjan
