I-League : NEROCA FC share spoils with Gokulam Kerala FC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2018: Local favourites, NEROCA FC came back from behind to settle their second home match of the ongoing Hero India I-League 2018-19 with Gokulam Kerala FC in a 1-1 draw at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

NEROCA FC's Saikhom Ronaldo was adjudged hero of the match.

NEROCA FC which suffered a 0-2 loss to East Bengal in their opening home tie improved a bit from previous match but could not live upto the expectation of earning full points today as they had to share one point each with the visiting Kerala side.

Baoringdao Bodo opened up the scoring for the visitor at the stroke of halftime but Eduardo Saores Ferreira came up to rescue NEROCA FC in the second half and opened the goal account for the season.

Both NEROCA FC and Gokulam Kerala FC shared almost equal possession and had fair share of opportunities throughout.

Though the local side had improved a bit in the attacking third and defence line up the mid-field failed to impress the home crowd today.

Moreover, NEROCA forwards squandered many scoring chances they had in the first half.

Subhash Singh made a fine run into the box early in the 13th minute looking for the opener but was stonewalled by defence line up of Gokulam Kerala FC disappointing the local side.

NEROCA also had another chance few minutes latter but was wasted.

They almost took the lead when Malem Meitei set up a fine ball for Aryn Williams who failed to connect in the latter part of the first half.

Baoringdao Bodo of the visiting side along with Rajesh were constant threat to NEROCA FC today.

Their combination proved fatal for the local side when Rajesh outstepped few NEROCA defenders and made an accurate low cross inside the box to Bodo who cleverly tapped in the ball into the net past NEROCA custodian Mauro Boerchio at the stroke of half time to give Gokulam Kerala FC a 1-0 lead.

After the break, the home team intensified their raids with better understanding and piled up pressure upon the visitors.

The home team led by Nigerian striker Felix Odili Chidi made some close attempts before Eduardo Soares Ferreira brought in the much anticipated equaliser in the 59th minute.

'It was defender M Ashok who glided a long pass which was collected by Felix Chidi before setting it up for Eduardo Soares Ferreira who took the honour to open up NEROCA's goal account of the season.

With score level at 1-1, the visitors also made amend and came up with some notable attempts in search of the winner but Boerchio made no mistake in tackling the shots to save the local team blushes.

It was then end to end affair in the latter part before the game ended 1-1.NEROCA FC will visit Aizawl FC for their first away tie on November 7 .

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