NEROCA win Imphal derby 2-1

IMPHAL, Jan 18: NEROCA FC came out with flying colours in the Hero I-League match here at Khuman Lampak Stadium on Wednesday, January 18. They won the prestigious city derby 3-1, got out of the relegation zone for the time being and avenged the first-leg defeat to arch-rivals Tiddim Road Athletic Union.
Ten minutes into the game, trying to clear a cross from the right NEROCA captain and defence mainstay David Simbo headed it on to TRAU’s lone striker Komron Tursunov, who calmly put it into the net with his right foot.
NEROCA came back into the match with the equaliser in the 37th minute. Jourdain Fletcher scored a world-class goal with a side volley. In the end, NEROCA coach’s decision to replace Kamo with Michael Kporvi in the 87th minute proved to be the difference. His precise pass across the field to Fletcher , who had no problem beating Roy with a left-footer.TRAU were still trying to salvage a point, but the counter-attack settled the result as Kporvi made it 3-1. (Agencies)