Imphal: Last season’s runners-up Neroca FC regained that very same position in the I-League points table with a 3-0 victory over Indian Arrows at the Khuman Lampak stadium on Friday.
Japanese winger Katsumi Yusa, Nigerian striker Felix Chidi and midfielder Malemnganba Meitei were on target for the home team as they dished out a thoroughly professional performance to completely outplay the Arrows youngsters.
The win, their first at home this season, has taken Neroca up to 11 points from seven games, the same as Champions Minerva Punjab, but Neroca have the better goal difference to be placed higher up.
Indian Arrows remain on the bottom of the pile, having being inflicted with their fifth straight loss in six games.
Both Neroca’s Spanish coach Manuel Fraile and the Arrows coach Floyd Pinto fielded an unchanged eleven from their previous games.
The game began on an even keel with Saran Singh getting on the end of a shot inside the Arrows box the 2nd minute for the hosts, while Rahim Ali for the visitors also missing a clear chance seven minutes later.
Neroca, however, were slowly beginning to control the game and their efforts bore fruit in the 29th minute as they took the lead through Yusa, who registered his first goal of the season.
Neroca’s premier front-man Felix Chidi then doubled the lead for the home team in the 54th minute with his fourth goal in four games.
The Arrows then conceded a third with Malemn getting onto the Hero I-League scoresheet for his team for the very first time. (PTI)
