Aizawl confident of making strong comeback today

The reigning champions Aizawl FC had the last laugh last season in this tie, courtesy the own goal by Loveday Enyinnaya Okechukwu.

Minerva Punjab FC are coming to the tie from an unbeaten home run which has earned them 13 points from 5 matches.

Minerva Punjab FC coach Khogen Singh is well aware of their position in the league and he stressed on keeping the focus on the match and nothing else.

"We will try to continue this form until the end of the season. But our fixtures will be tougher playing in away matches and I have experienced this as a player myself. Aizawl will be a tough opponent but I hope we can end the season in our current position," he opined.

Minerva Punjab FC's transition from relegation battlers to fighting for the championship is much helped by the addition of forward Chencho Gyeltshen.

The Bhutanese forward feels confident as he hopes to finish his first season in India with flying colours.

Chencho made the difference in their last match having scored the solitary goal against Indian Arrows.

"It is my first season in India and it is quite different to Bhutan. I want to score as many goals as possible and be the best player in the league. Lifting the Hero I-League with Minerva is my main aim and I hope we can achieve that as a team," he stated.

Chencho is one of the best players in the league so far but Aizawl's Portuguese coach Paulo Menezes said they will not man mark the forward.

"Man-marking is not my philosophy and we will not mark Chencho tomorrow as well. We will play as a team and I hope we can collect 3 points," Menezes said.