I League : NEROCA FC edge past Shillong Lajong 3-2
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

Imphal, January 04 2019: NEROCA FC continued its winning ways securing a hard fought 3-2 win against Shillong Lajong in their 11th match of the Hero I-League at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

The win enables NEROCA FC take the second place in the league table while the Shillong side remained rooted at the bottom place with 4 points in 11 matches.

Goals by Japanese import, Katsumi Yusa, Singam Subash Singh and Malemnganba Meitei Kshetrimayum set up 3-2 victory for home favourites NEROCA FC over the Shillong side who made a late return today.

There was a change in goal as Phurba Lachenpa was replaced by Neithovilie Chalieu.

With Rakesh Pradhan still injured, Allen Lyngdoh made way for Aibanbha Dohling who wore the captain's armband in Samuel Lalmuanpuia's absense given that Mahesh Singh got a start.

Samuel Kynshi meanwhile came in place of Kynsailang Khongsit.

The visitors began the tie on an attacking front while NEROCA were happy to play on the counter, hoping for a lapse in defense, which worked just right for the home side as they earned a penalty early on.

Yusa was tripped in the penalty area by Dohling and it was the Japanese who himself stepped up to make it 1-0 from the spot in the eighth minute.

Chalieu was called into action a few more times, including a save off another shot at goal by Yusa.

However, he was beaten once again in the 21st minute when Subash took Yusa's pass into the box and shot past him despite the ball taking a deflection off the Lajong goalkeeper.

In one of the rare opportunities created by Lajong, a good solo run from Mahesh Singh saw Sheen Stevenson in a promising position on the left but the latter's shot lacked the power and direction as Lalit Thapa effected his first save of the tie in the 38th minute.

As Lajong were only beginning to make a few inroads, NEROCA hadn't taken their foot off the gas as Malemganba Meitei tested Chalieu with a firm shot from distance in the 42nd minute to go into the break with a two-goal lead.

After a quieter start to the second half, Mahesh timed his run in the box to perfection before he was brought down from behind by Sebastian Thangmuansang.

Sheen found the back of the net from the resultant penalty but it was after he got the ball off the rebound of Thapa's initial save in the 54th minute.

In the very next minute, however, Malemnganba Meitei found himself with a lot of space on the right and the cross took an unlucky touch from Dohling to send it into his own goal.

The momentum was back in favour of NEROCA with Yusa and Meitei getting close on a few occasions with little response by Lajong.

It could have well been 4-1 after Aryn Williams had put it on a platter for Meitei in the 85th minute, but the latter still managed to shoot wide right in front of an open goal.

Buam finally found the back of the net for Lajong in the 89th minute with a brilliant low volley past Thapa, but it was a little too late as NEROCA held on to gather three points.

Manuel Fraile made just the one change by bringing Saran Singh back in NEROCA's first 11 at the cost of Tondonba Singh while Lajong coach Alison Kharsyntiew rang in as many as four changes from his side that last went down 6-1 against Chennai City FC .

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