Minerva Academy’s Under-14 team kick-started its campaign at the prestigious Helsinki Cup 2025 in emphatic fashion, making a resounding statement on European soil.
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Minerva Academy’s Under-14 team kick-started its campaign at the prestigious Helsinki Cup 2025 in emphatic fashion, making a resounding statement on European soil. Playing in Finland, the young Indian side stormed to back-to-back wins, dismantling two top local clubs, including the host nation’s most celebrated team, without conceding a single goal.
In their tournament opener, Minerva shocked Finnish giants HJK with a 5-0 rout, a result that sent shockwaves through the tournament. Chetan netted twice, Yohenba added one, and Azam bossed the midfield with a goal of his own. Raj completed the scoring in a victory that quickly became the talk of the tournament.
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Their second match saw an even more dominant performance as Minerva overwhelmed Lopa 7-0. Raj led the charge with a superb hat-trick, Azam struck again, and Chetan, Danamoni and Kabir each got on the scoresheet. The Indian side showcased clinical finishing, tactical discipline, and unrelenting aggression, traits not often associated with youth teams from the subcontinent.
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After two commanding wins, Minerva Academy sits comfortably atop their group with six points, a perfect record, and a goal difference of +12. The squad has scored 12 goals across two games and has yet to concede, demonstrating a blend of pace, power, and composure that has captivated onlookers.
The Helsinki Cup is one of the largest and most competitive youth football tournaments in the world, featuring over 1,300 teams from more than 20 countries. Minerva Academy was placed in the tournament’s toughest group, with opponents from football-strong nations like Finland and Iceland — countries known for their robust grassroots systems and tactical development.
All eyes now remain on the Minerva boys as they continue their journey in Finland.
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