Former I-League champions Minerva Punjab are set to play their remaining continental home matches at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Goal can confirm.
Minerva were also in talks with the Sports Authority of India for the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi and with the Government of West Bengal for the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, but exorbitant rents were a damper for the Chandigarh-based side.
"Minerva have been allowed to host the remaining AFC home matches in Guwahati. I am extremely grateful to Government of Assam and the Sports Authority of Assam for allowing us to use the facilities of the AFC-approved Indira Gandhi stadium. Since the stadium is already proved by AFC there will be no major obstacles to host the matches. Even if we do need to make some renovations and changes then also it will be on a minor scale," said Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj to Goal while confirming the development.
Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC had also agreed to allow Minerva to use the JRD Tata Sports Complex and Bajaj said thet he is 'thankful to the Tata Group for their generous gesture.'
Minerva Punjab have drawn their first three matches against Chennaiyin FC, Abahani Dhaka and Manang Marshyangdi respectively. They will once again lock horns against Manang in their next fixture on May 15 in Nepal.