I-League: NEROCA FC hold Mohun Bagan

Kolkata, December 19: An insipid looking Mohun Bagan were held goalless by NEROCA FC in the I-League match at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) on Tuesday (December 19).

Much to the delight of the Mariners' faithful, Sony Norde and Ansumana Kromah were back in the Starting XI. The duo missed Bagan's 1-1 draw with Shillong Lajong on December 14 after suffering injuries during their match against Churchill Brothers last week.

Eze Kingsley was suspended and Rana Gharami made his first I-League start with the Green and Maroons. Dipendu Dowary was relegated to the bench, while the unimpressive Naro Hari Shrestha was chucked out of the 18-man squad for Azharuddin Mallick.

NEROCA coach Gift Raikhan introduced Akhlidin Israilov for Pritam Singh behind striker Felix Chidi. While Subash Singh and Gopi Singh flanked him, Fabien Vorbe and Saran Singh acted as the shield in front of the defence. Aryn Williams continued to play as a makeshift centre-half, but Gouramangi Singh was back on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.

After impressed with a shot on target in the very first minute, Sony Norde struggled throughout the game. Aser Dipanda subsequently took all of Bagan's set-pieces.

The orange-clad side appeared at ease as they dictated the proceedings from the centre of the park. Subash Singh and Gopi Singh inter-changed flanks regularly to flummox the Mohun Bagan fullbacks. However, Felix Chidi and Israilov could not convert from easy chances they got in the first half.

19' Now @Mohun_Bagan putting pressure but Kromah has been found offside as he charged ahead to collect a pass from Dicka. Lots of action in the first 20 minutes.#HeroILeague #MBvNFC

— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) December 19, 2017

Ansumana Kromah put the ball into the net to send the home crowd cheering from Shilton D'Silva's through ball, but he was ruled offside by the linesman.

50' A terrific run by @sony_norde_16 ends with Kromah putting the ball past Thapa but only after the Referee raising his flag. Disappointment descends on VYBK.
MB 0 - 0 NFC#HeroILeague #MBvNFC

— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) December 19, 2017

In the second half too, Norde's goal was disallowed as he was trapped offside after Kromah released him from his dangerous sprint down the middle.

While Mohun Bagan's attack appeared toothless with Aser Dipanda cutting a sorry figure, it was the midfield, which included Raynier Fernandes and Shilton D'Silva, that held on. Even Rana Gharami was impressive in the way he handled the backline in the absence of Kingsley.

The Manipuri outfit looked content with the draw, but Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen has a reason to worry as Norde was stretchered off the field in the second half after suffering a knock on his left knee.

81' Humidity taking a toll on the players as first Thapa and now @sony_norde_16 seem to be troubled by cramps. The @Mohun_Bagan captain gets stretchered off eventually.#HeroILeague #MBvNFC

— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) December 19, 2017

The Green and Maroons have now dropped four points at home and it looks set to cost them dear in the title race as they remain on the third spot with nine points from five outings.

NEROCA FC will travel to Shillong Lajong as they hold onto their fifth spot on the table, while the Kolkata giants have a long break before they welcome the Indian Arrows on December 29.

Source: AIFF Media