Jersey

After a relentless excruciating battle for more than three months, an unstinting and tormenting challenge being fought out, the historic I-League finally met its denouement as Minerva Punjab essayed history by notching up the I-League for the first time in their very second shot at it.

 

Their journey in the league started in an abysmal shape when they were placed at the ninth position in the precursor edition of this league. However, with a total facelift that they received at the hands of their owner, Mr. Ranjit Bajaj, they started their journey on a confident note.

 

When the final whistle blew today at Panchkula, elations knew no bounds and exhilaration came unhinged after Minerva emerged victorious over a relegated Churchill. A year of endless struggle met its expectations as Churchill was humbled by Minerva riding on William Opoku’s strike.

 

Starting from those long huddles where Ranjit Bajaj hollered at the top of his voice just to stoke up these lads, it spanned to him going on his knees to fasten the lace of his team’s Bhutanese sensation, Chencho Gyltshen and it continued to him egging the fans to cheer at the top of their voice, even when his team trailed.

 

All these moments were dovetailed in the most precise proportion and that laced with the tenacity of the warriors on the field culminated into the beautifully bedecked scenes of today. The Minerva Ultras put up a massive celebration akin to that of Iceland’s Viking clap. The players and the support staff broke into an ineffable frenzy.

 

There were fireworks all around the park in order to relish this epic feat notched up by the strapping lads from Punjab after eight long years of JCT bowing out of the most prestigious league in this nation.

 

There were several tweets which congratulated Minerva Punjab after their heroic feat. Even Parth Jindal, owner of Bengaluru FC congratulated Minerva on their success in I-League and also welcomed them to the Super Cup.

Experts just realised that the #HeroILeague is mediocre - on the last day of the season.
Well guess what, we are a mediocre footballing nation. Wat else did they expect?
At least it brought people to the stands and kept up interest till the end.#indianfootball @fni

— Anirban Datta-Roy (@clixbyman) March 8, 2018

Now that's winning with swag. Congrats @Minerva_AFC @THE_RanjitBajaj @RannvijaySingha! @ILeagueOfficial #HeroILeague. @juniorbachchan, really wish to see @ChennaiyinFC lift the cup next!

— Neeraj Kanwar (@iamneerajkanwar) March 8, 2018

Congratulations on lifting the @ILeagueOfficial trophy, @Minerva_AFC. #HeroILeague pic.twitter.com/UtyeUxgA6v

— KF East Bengal (@eastbengalfc) March 9, 2018

What a season of @ILeagueOfficial it has been! 🙂

2 great new stories of @IndianFootball in @Minerva_AFC, the champions, and @NerocaFC, who finish 2nd, in their 1st season in the top flight. Meanwhile, lots to ponder about for @Mohun_Bagan and @eastbengalfc.#HeroILeague

— Antariksh (@trixtalk) March 8, 2018

Star Sports Football also tweeted: It was an absolute fairytale of a campaign for Minerva AFC as they end the season as HeroILeague champions. Congratulations Minerva Punjab FC!

 

It would be interesting to watch how Minerva braces themselves for the upcoming Super Cup as it will be altogether a different ball game. However, I believe the celebrations will continue for some days as of now and this will echo in the ears of all those who love Indian football for ages to come.

 

Jersey congratulates Minerva Punjab on notching up the I-League 2018. They were the deserved champions.