Neroca FC beat TRAU FC 2-0 to win the Imphal derby at Kalyani Stadium on Monday. TRAI hasn’t had a memorable season so far, with a draw against Indian Arrows and a 3-1 loss against Srinidi Deccan before this game. Neroca FC, on the other hand, started the 2021-22 season in a stark contrast with a 3-2 win against Srinidi Deccan and a draw against Gokulam Kerala FC in the second match week.
The Red Pythons started the game up and received a free kick in the fifth minute of the game. Fernandinho swung it from the left but Neroca’s defense was strong enough to clear it straight.
It was end-to-end action early in the game as Neroca’s Spanish magician Juan Mera González tried to get the keeper out of the box in the ninth minute, but was not able to cause many problems. Both the teams were trying to make their presence felt in the game by sticking a few passes together but there was no final product to be seen.
Sergio Mendigutxia had a great chance to give TRAU the lead as he stunned two defenders in the 20th minute with a turn, only to miss the shot from just beyond goal.
Slowly the pace of the game began to shift towards Neroca as the team’s midfielder began boss proceedings. They were constantly creating chances but, in the twenty-fourth minute, a big opportunity came as TRAI captain Helder Lobato had to block a good shot from his head.
Trai tried to hit Neroca at the break in the next minute, but Shubham Dhas blocked Fernandinho’s shot from close range to keep the score level.
The first goal of the game came in the thirty-seventh minute of the game as Mohamed Kadouh led a cross in the back of the net from midfielder Swede Fernandes to give Neroca the lead. Trai had a chance to equalize in the fifth minute of the first-half stoppage time as they were given an indirect free-kick but were not able to convert.
The half ended with Neroca taking the lead in a closely contested affair between the two Imphal-based clubs.
The second half started with TRAU desperate to take something from this game and NEROCA looking for another goal to end the game. Douglas Santana had a great opportunity to equalize for Trai in the fiftieth minute but the header flew wide.
Neroca rose into the game with Trai’s missing opportunities and in the seventy-five minute of the game, Juan Mera produced a brilliant finish in the top corner to double Neroca’s lead.
TRAU tried many times but it seemed that this is not their day. Neroca won the game 2–0 and moved up to third on the table with seven points. Meanwhile, TRAU who will take a lot of positives from the game will now have to focus on the fourth game week where he will face stiff opposition from Churchill Brothers.
read all breaking news, today’s fresh news And Assembly Election Live Updates Here.