Subash Singh brace helps NEROCA beat Arrows
IMPHAL: Singam Subash Singh scored a brace to help NEROCA FC register a 2-1 win over Indian Arrows and move up to the second position i n t he Hero I-league. Subash Singh scored in the 39th and 45th minute.
Birthday boy Abhijit Sarkar (89th) scored a late consolation goal for the Arrows but it couldn’t deter the Gift Raikhancoached team from bagging all three points at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
NEROCA’S efforts paid off in the 39th minute. Akhlidin Israilov released a well-weighted through-ball into the path of Subash Singh who chipped Prabshukhan with aplomb. Subash Singh doubled his tally at the stroke of half-time with another confident finish and this time, it was Felix Chidi who turned provider. Chidi split the Arrows defence and the Manipur-bornforward slotted the ball into the net to end the half with a twogoal lead for NEROCA.
Boris Singh’s late sliding tackle on substitute Nedo Turkovic i n the 82nd minute resulted in a spot-kick for the home side. Jean Fabien Vorbe hit the net initially but was asked to take it again. On the second go, he struck the bar.
Abhijit Sarkar tapped in Rahul Praveen’s cross to conjure some hope for his side in the dying minutes but it was too late for a magical comeback.
GOALLESS DRAW
SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong and Chennai City FC played out a goalless draw at the JN Stadium. It was Lajong who had the upper hand in both the halves with some dominating football but failed to find the back of the net. Lajong are fourth with 11 points from eight matches. Chennai are seventh with eight from eight.
ODAFA DEBUT LIKELY
KOZHIKODE: A tough challenge awaits debutants Gokulam Kerala as they take on third-placed Minerva, Saturday. Gokulam’s home outing hasn’t been good and they were on the receiving end in their final match of last year when reigning champions Aizawl FC overpowered them.
Coach Bino George explained that his foreign recruits’ form and injury was averting them from getting the desired results. He informed that striker Odafa Okolie is likely to debut for the yellow outfit provided that the formalities are completed.