Srinagar: Manipur’s Neroca FC handed debutants Real Kashmir FC their first defeat in the I-League with a 2-0 win here on Sunday.
Felix Chidi struck twice (28th and 74th minutes) to give Neroca their first win of the season at the TRC Turf stadium here.
Neroca had lost to East Bengal 0-2 in their opening match at home before drawing their next two matches against Gokulam Kerala (1-1) and Aizawl FC (0-0).
Real Kashmir, on the other hand, had beaten defending champions Minerva Punjab 1-0 in Panchkula to begin their I-League debut season in stunning fashion and then played out a goal-less draw against Churchill Bothers in their previous game here.
On Sunday, Neroca FC had more of the exchanges initially but the ‘Snow Leopards’ roared back with a string of attacking moves through Ivory Coast striker Gnohere Krizo and Danish Farooq with assists from the flanks but were unable to find the back of the net.
Neroca scored in the 28th minute to change the complexion of the game.
A fine cross from Ashok Singh from the left landed right in front of Felix Chidi who made no mistake in bulging the Real Kashmir net.
Neroca FC doubled their lead in the 74th minute when a defensive lapse by Real Kashmir gave Felix Chidi the opportunity to earn his and team’s second goal of the day.
A desperate Real Kashmir had a brilliant chance to reduce the margin in the 88th minute but Danish Farooq missed a sitter.
Neroca now have five points from one win, two draws and one loss while Real Kashmir FC have four points from one win, one draw and one loss. (PTI)
