THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

NEROCA host Minerva Punjab FC in massive top-of-the-table I-League clash

NEROCA FC training session (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)

NEROCA FC are all set to take on I-League table toppers Minerva Punjab FC in a much-awaited top-of-the-table encounter at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Friday, January 27 afternoon.

A surprise loss to Shillong Lajong FC in their last game ended NEROCA’s incredible nine-game unbeaten run in the league but Gift Raikhan’s boys will be relishing the opportunity to take on fellow title rivals in the hope of closing down the gap towards the top spot or even going ahead.

Just a solitary point separates the teams but the men from the north-east region have played two games more than the Punjab-based side.

“We should not take tomorrow’s match lightly also it should not be treated as a very difficult game also. It’s a football match after all. Last match (against Shillong Lajong FC) was not our day. Tomorrow we will try our best,” expressed a confident Gift Raikhan, the man-in-charge at NEROCA FC.

Interestingly, NEROCA’s only other defeat in the I-League cam against Minerva Punjab FC in their first game of the season. In a match where Felix Chidi gave his side the lead, Chencho Gyeltshen and Lago Bei netted the goals that allowed Minerva Punjab FC to fight back and claim all three points.

“We know Minerva Punjab. We played our first match against them. We lost. We scored first but they scored two. We remember the match and accordingly will approach tomorrow’s game,” said Raikhan.

Lalit Thapa’s absence in between the sticks is something that will hurt NERCOA as Chencho and co. will look to test the stand-in goalkeeper with multiple attempts on goal. Goals have not been an issue for the team from Punjab, as they have managed to come up with results to comfortably claim the top spot with 22 points from nine games.

Head coach Khogen Singh will demand nothing less than a win from his side since Minerva Punjab FC are entering a testing phase in their dream run for the title.

“NEROCA are a good team. They are high on tempo but we are hoping to get three points from here,” said Khogen.

“It can be a turning point in the title race so we are prepared. They are a good side.”

Chencho Gyeltshen has been in supreme form for his side and Khogen Singh will be hoping that their star forward from Bhutan can continue his terrific form against NEROCA FC in what promises to be an exciting contest for football fanatics.

Kick-off is at 2pm and the match will be telecast on Star Sports 2/ 2 HD and can be streamed live on Hotstar and Jio TV.

(I-League Media)