Latest news with #HelsinkiCup2025
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Minerva narrowly fell short in final, but won hearts with historic Helsinki Cup campaign
New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): The Indian club played brilliantly in the Helsinki Cup-2025, but they remained just one step away from the title. Minerva Academy FC's dream was shattered in the final, but this journey made the country proud. In the final of the Helsinki Cup 2025, India's youth team, Minerva, had to face a 1-0 defeat against Finland's legendary team, PK-35. The match was very tough. Both teams were showing strategic and strong play. PK-35 created an opportunity and scored a goal. This was the first time in the entire tournament that the ball entered Minerva's goalpost. Minerva played the game like a winner throughout the tournament and introduced defense along with attack. They played 10 matches in this tournament and won 9. Scored a total of 42 goals. Conceded only one goal, and that too in the final. This performance of the Indian team was historic among the great youth teams of Europe and other countries. Minerva became the first Indian team to reach the final of the Helsinki Cup. Despite the narrow loss, the performances across the tournament earned admiration from scouts, coaches, and fans across Europe. From clean sheet after clean sheet to the relentless attacking style that produced thumping wins over sides like HJK, RCD Espanyol, GrIFK, LAUTP, and Stjarnan, the boys from India proved that Indian football isn't just rising -- it has arrived. Players like Raj, K Chetan, Punshiba, Yohenba, Chetan T, and Azam showed maturity and enthusiasm much beyond their age. In every match, the team proved that Indian players can stand against the world's big football academies and clubs. There is definitely sadness due to the defeat in the final, but the pride is even more than that. What these players did for the club, family and country became an example. Remaining unbeaten for 9 matches in Finland and conceding just one goal, that too in the final, is a great achievement by any standards. Minerva may not have won the trophy, but it has definitely earned trust. Trust that world-class footballers can emerge from India too. It was not just a tournament; it was a message. And the world heard that message. Now, Minerva will participate in three more big international youth tournaments. This journey will continue; it will not stop. (ANI)
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Helsinki Cup: Minerva Academy in semi-finals, two Finland clubs eliminated
ANI 12 Jul 2025, 15:04 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Minerva Academy Football Club, representing India in the Helsinki Cup 2025, has continued its winning streak. Minerva registered two consecutive wins and confirmed its place in the semi-finals. They eliminated two Finnish clubs, and no one had an answer to the team's attack. In the quarter-finals, Minerva faced Finland's club LAUPT. The club was founded in 1946 and has been home to many star players. Minerva did not give them a chance to recover and attacked continuously. The first goal came from Punshiba, and then Chetan scored two goals to eliminate the Finnish club from the match. Minerva won the match 3-0 and confirmed its place in the semi-finals. In the pre-quarter-finals played earlier, Minerva did not give up the attack. They defeated the club NuPs, formed in Finland in 1964. Indian Goal machine Raj scored a goal and Yohenba also supported him by putting the ball in the goalpost. K Chetan and Chetan T scored 1-1 goals. Azam also registered his name on the scoresheet. This was the last goal of the match and the team registered a one-sided victory with a score of 5-0. Minerva's attack is continuing, and they are also handling their defence strongly. The team has scored 39 goals after 7 matches and not a single goal has been scored against them. The Indian club has also achieved 7 clean sheets. This proves that the team is strong in every sense. Minerva is being seen as a strong contender for the title. (ANI)
India Gazette
11-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Helsinki Cup: Minerva Academy in Round-16 with thumping 7-0 win
ANI 11 Jul 2025, 20:38 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], July 11(ANI): Minerva Academy FC has made a thumping start in the knockouts of the Helsinki Cup 2025. The Indian club made it to the pre-quarter finals by defeating Finland's club GrIFK 7-0 in the Round of 32. Earlier, Minerva had won all four matches in the group stage. Twenty-four goals were scored, not a single goal was conceded. GrIFK is a big club in Finland and many good footballers are the gift of this place. It is known for football. It started in 1925. This club has a strong identity in the youth football of Finland. Known for its technical discipline and strong grassroots system, but it could not stand in front of Minerva. From the beginning of the match, Minerva took control of the game. His control on the ball was visible. Kept the opposition team under pressure with fast speed and accurate passing. Raj scored a brilliant hat-trick. Every time he reached the box, GrIFK's defense was in a tizzy. Chetan also scored a powerful goal. Yohenba showed individual skills and scored after a brilliant move. Rajesh and Reesan also scored goals to further strengthen the team's victory. This victory wasn't just about the scoreline -- it was about the statement Minerva made. They've now played five matches, scored an incredible 31 goals, and still haven't conceded a single one. Their dominance in the group stage saw them finish at the top with 12 points, well ahead of Icelandic sides KR and Afturelding, and Finnish clubs HJK/2 and LoPa -- all of whom had international pedigree and local familiarity with the conditions. Minerva's defence line remained strong. The midfield did constant high pressing. The forward line converted every opportunity into a goal. Now the team has reached the Round of 16. This confident team is no longer an underdog but has become a contender for the title. Now the echo of Minerva can be heard everywhere in Helsinki. (ANI)
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Helsinki Cup: Minerva registered its fourth win, creating history by winning the match 9-0
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Minerva Academy FC's victory campaign continued on the second day in the Helsinki Cup 2025, and the team kept scoring goals continuously. The team has maintained its top position in Group A by defeating two big football clubs of Iceland. In the first match, Minerva defeated KR Reykjavik 9-0. After this, in another match, they ended the day by defeating Afturelding 3-0. In four matches, the team did not concede a single goal and won all the matches. Minerva now has 12 points, and the goal difference is +24. The team played its first match against KR Reykjavik. It is the most successful club in Iceland. Formed in 1899, this club has been the champion of Iceland 27 times. They were considered among the contenders for victory, but Minerva's young players dominated from the very beginning. Raj scored the first goal. After this, Chetan scored two brilliant goals. Punshiba also scored two goals. The KR team completely fell apart in front of Minerva's attack. The match was won by Minerva 9-0. This was the biggest margin score of the tournament so far, and Minerva made the record in its name. The second match was against Afturelding. This club was formed in 1909 and has recently reached the top league of Iceland. The team is known for preparing young players. Raj scored the first goal for Minerva in this match as well. Punshiba continued her form by scoring another goal. The third goal was scored by Kabir. With this win, Minerva kept its fourth consecutive clean sheet. Minerva Academy FC is at the top of Group A with four wins in four matches. It is six points ahead of the second-placed team KR (IS). The team has not conceded a single goal so far. Strong defence, aggressive play and teamwork have made Minerva the strongest contender in the tournament. The victory over two big Icelandic teams has showcased the strength of Indian youth football to the world. Their game is being praised everywhere. Now, in the final round of the tournament, Minerva has emerged as a strong contender for the title. (ANI)
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Helsinki Cup: Team Minerva tops group after defeating HJK, Lopa in day-1
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): In the Helsinki Cup 2025, the Under-14 players of Minerva Academy have made a great start. It is being played on the grounds of Finland. In the first two matches played on European soil, the Indian club defeated two strong clubs of the host country. In the first league match, Finland's biggest football club, HJK, was defeated 5-0, while in the second match, Lopa was defeated 7-0. In both matches, Minerva's players scored a total of 12 goals and conceded no goals. Minerva Academy has been placed in the most difficult group of the Helsinki Cup, and this is a tough challenge for the team. Despite this, the team is moving forward with its discipline and strong game. The team is playing well, facing the challenges of European football, and making an identity for India. In the first match against HJK, Chetan scored two goals for Minerva, and Yohenba scored one goal. Azam played brilliantly in midfield and scored a goal. After this, Raj also added his name to the score sheet. The Indian club won 5-0, and this victory became a topic of discussion on the very first day of the tournament. No one expected the local club to lose because HJK is a big club in Europe. In the second match against Lopa, Minerva scored even bigger. Raj scored a hat-trick. Azam added another goal. Danamoni, Chetan and Kabir also scored one goal each. The team played with confidence, coordination and aggression. Minerva presented a strong claim with a one-sided victory of 7-0. After two matches, Minerva Academy is at the top of its group. With six points and a +12 goal difference, the team has scored 12 goals so far and conceded none. The speed, strength and intelligence of the team is clearly visible on the field that they are playing for the title. The Helsinki Cup is one of the biggest and most prestigious youth tournaments in the world. More than 1300 teams from more than 20 countries participate in it. In such a tournament, defeating teams like HJK and LoPa in their home ground is a big deal for Indian football. Minerva Academy has been placed in the toughest group of this tournament. In this, Minerva has to play with strong teams from Iceland and Finland. All these clubs are known for disciplined and competitive football. Minerva has to compete with them and move towards the title. This team of Minerva has been prepared under the World Cup project. The purpose is that these players represent India in the future. Playing against European teams in a foreign environment under pressure, these players are deciding the future of Indian football. All eyes are now on these Indian warriors in the Helsinki Cup. This is not just a tournament, it is a mission. To change the thinking, create an identity and show that Indian players are no less on the world stage. Minerva Academy has started this mission in a strong manner. (ANI)
