Imphal: Manipur’s first ever I-League team Neroca FC kick started their home campaign with a thrilling victory over Chennai City FC, in what should be dubbed as a perfect team effort.
Lalit Thapa’s heroics under the woodwork, Varney Kallon’s opener in the 26th minute and Ngangom Ronald Singh’s 90th minute opener perfectly summed up the Manipuri outfit’s performance yesterday to outsmart Chennai City FC at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Manipur.
Although the visitors pulled one back in the second half, they could not deter the hosts from bagging all three points towards the end when Ronald Singh tapped it home to send the 27 thousand strong crowds into a delirium.
In the first Hero I- League home match of the Gift Raikhan-coached team, both the team started with high pace. Chennai City FC gave their best amidst the huge crowds cheering for the home team.
However, Neroca FC’s players played skillfully against their opponent.
The visitors got a realistic chance to go one step up in the 17th minute when they were awarded a penalty. But, Neroca FC’s goalkeeper Lalit Thapa jumped to his right to thwart Murilo Almeida’s effort.
Towards the end when the Chennai City FC dugout started eyeing to a hard-fought draw, super-sub Ronald Singh stole the show completely having scored the winner in the added time.
Following the win, Neroca FC rise to the fourth spot with 6 points from three matches while Chennai City FC remain at the ninth position with the solitary point collected from Kozhikode.
Neroca FC will travel to Kolkata next to take on Mohun Bagan on December 19, 2017, and Chennai City FC will travel to Goa to challenge Churchill Brothers FC Goa on the same day. (ANI)