NEROCA set to showcase Manipur on I-league stage
NEW DELHI: When it comes to Indian football, Manipur has always enjoyed a special position. But, the I-league has always been a distant dream. Over the years, Manipuri clubs have consistently failed to qualify for the competition and that has led to a mass exodus of local talent. However, the dream will finally come true on Friday as local side NEROCA take on Chennai City in Imphal.
For NEROCA, the journey to I-league has been nothing short of a fairytale. The club was originally established in 1965, but it was not until three years ago that they really started to take a professional approach towards the game.
However, it was 2016 when NEROCA truly established themselves as the next football powerhouse from the northeast. The side enjoyed a 14-match unbeaten run en route their title victory and in the process, became the first Manipur team to qualify for the Indian top-flight tournament.
It was a promotion that was long overdue and NEROCA director Naoba Thangjam Singh believes that the club is ready to learn from the past mistakes and excel on the big stage.
“Manipur is the factory of players. But there was no platform. We are rich in talent but poor in resources and knowledge. The local clubs didn’t even know how to fill up the paperwork or even what the licensing requirements were. But, that has now changed in the last couple of years and we are overjoyed to finally play in the I-league,” Thangjam told Hindustan Times.
MOHUN BAGAN HELD
KOLKATA: Ten-man Mohun Bagan, had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Shillong Lajong in an I-league encounter on Thursday. Both goals came from penalties as Dipanda Dicka (12th minute) gave Mohun Bagan the lead in the first half only to see his strike cancelled out by Samuel Lalmuanpuia in the second period.
The home team were down to ten men minutes later when Kolkata Derby’s scorer Kingsley Eze was sent off for a second yellow card. PUNE: A double strike from Miku helped Bengaluru defeat Pune City 3-1 after being a goal down in their Indian Super League encounter here on Thursday.
Venezuelan Miku (64, 78) and skipper Sunil Chhetri (95th) starred for Bengaluru as the side registered their fourth win this season to cement their place the top of points table.
Adil Khan (35) scored for lone goal for Pune City.
Pune City were down to 10 men in the 55th minute when Baljit Sahni got his second yellow card.
KERALA TARGET FIRST WIN IN ISL
NEW DELHI : Several players from the Northeast region could hold the key to Kerala Blasters ending their win drought when they take on Northeast United in the ISL at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Kerala Blasters are one of only two teams not to win a match in this edition of the ISL (ATK being the other), and coach Rene Meulensteen is confident that a win is just around the corner.