NEROCA eye win in Durand Cup tie today
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 06 2025: In the fourth Group F match of the 134th Durand Cup at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Thursday, NEROCA FC are eying to register a win in their second match of the competition against Indian Navy FT.

NEROCA FC settled for a 1-1 draw with TRAU FC in their first match and are now third in the Group, while Indian Navy FT are on top having defeated Real Kashmir FC 2-1 in their first match.

Addressing the media on Wednesday ahead of the crucial match scheduled to start at 4 pm, NEROCA FC head coach Gyan Moyon conceded that the must-win game for his team will be not easy one.

He noted that in-spite of a home ground advantage in the Imphal derby against TRAU, the team was under pressure and lacked coordination, consequently unable to convert the advantage to win.

Mentioning that they will have an edge in Thursday's match due to home fan support, Gyan said the Indian Navy FT players are fit as evident from their swift counter-attacking play and tirelessness throughout the game.

He further revealed that the team has added Brazilian defender Lucas Da Silva Chagas to strengthen its defence.

Stating that the one week gap between the matches has given them enough preparation time and fine tune team combination, the head coach asserted that they will try to perfectly execute their game plan against Indian Navy FT to collect maximum points.

On the other hand, Indian Navy FT head coach Raman Rai acknowledged that as NEROCA FC have a strong track record as runners-up of the Durand Cup and are formidable I-League club, they will be playing Thursday's match against the local favourites, under immense pressure.

However, weak points of NEROCA FC have been analysed so as to make every attempt to convert opportunities to goals, he emphasised.

Mentioning that his team is very confident riding on the victory over Real Kashmir, Raman disclosed that the same playing eleven will be facing NEROCA FC albeit with a new strategy to ensure they remain at the top of Group F .

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