Sukhmani.KoonerChandigarh: The 60m dash was sublime, the way he cut past a defender pure magic, and when Minerva’s Azam Khan arced the ball into the net, it was history.The boys from Mohali thumped the famed Liverpool FC Under-15 side 6-0 in a round-16 match at the Mediterranean International Cup in Spain on Friday – the biggest upset of the tournament yet and a moment of glory for India that will be talked about for years.Minerva’s emphatic victory may well turn out to be a turning point for Indian grassroots football, especially given the stark contrast in pedigree and resources between the two sides.Despite a staggering century old difference in legacy, Minerva’s young footballers showed no signs of intimidation. They took the game to their opponents right from kick-off, mirroring the ‘Gegenpressing’ tactic Liverpool is known for, and bettering it.The Mohali club dominated the match all through, with captain Wahengbam Raj Singh scoring a hat-trick and Azam getting a brace.Minerva’s boys in blue played with an aggressive, high-pressing style, ironically associated more with Liverpool. Azam opened the scoring as early as the second minute, setting the tone for a relentless attacking display that never allowed Liverpool to get its act together. Amerson doubled the lead in the 11th minute, while Raj struck twice in the 25th minute, including a penalty, to give the Indian side a dominating 4-0 advantage. Azam slammed in his second goal in the 36th minute, and Raj completed his hat-trick in the 47th minute to seal a memorable rout.The stunning scoreline shook up Liverpool fans. The X handle ‘Anything Liverpool’ posted: “Huge win for Indian football but what is going on with our academy”.Founded in 1892, Liverpool FC is one of the most talked about clubs in world football, with a valuation estimated at ₹45,000 crore. In comparison, Minerva Academy, established in 2015, is still in its formative years, with resources valued at barely ₹1 crore.While Liverpool benefits from elite training facilities and globally renowned coaching expertise, Minerva operates with limited infrastructure and a lean support system. Yet, the Indian academy has steadily built a reputation for nurturing young talent and achieving success at the international level.The journey to the tournament was far from smooth for Minerva. Financial constraints forced the academy to turn to crowdfunding, which fell short of expectations. Academy director Ranjit Bajaj eventually took a personal loan to ensure the team’s participation, with liabilities now reportedly reaching ₹2 crore.Visa challenges added to their woes, with initial applications being rejected casting a cloud on their participation. The team secured clearance just days before departure. And did they announce their arrival in style!
