I-League: NEROCA FC ride on Nedo Turkovic's heroics to pip Aizawl FC

Aizawl, January 20: In a game with an abundance of chances for both sides, NEROCA FC triumphed over the reigning champions Aizawl FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium to leapfrog East Bengal in the I-League table.

Nigerian defender Kareem Omolaja (39th minute) scored for the home side in the first half but NEROCA bravely fought back in the second half through goals by Felix Chidi (65th) and Nedo Turkovic (85th).

.@NerocaFC bounce back in style in the second half to earn a come from behind victory in the Northeastern Derby.#HeroILeague #AFCvNFC pic.twitter.com/bF2j9E8Pte

— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) January 20, 2018

Aizawl's head coach Paulo Menezes made two changes in the Playing XI as Lalramhmunmawia and Yugo Kobayashi started in place of suspended Afghan defender Masih Saighani and William Lalnunfela.

The away side made no changes from the team that won against Indian Arrows. Shambu Mistry was in goal and Gourmangi Singh led the defence alongside Varney Kallon, Ngaseoam Tondonba, and Ashok Singh.

Aizawl got their first shot in the goal in the first minute of the match itself but Andrei's volley was thwarted away by Shambu. The home side came close to scoring but Andrei's dipping free-kick struck the woodwork. NEROCA fans sang their hearts out in the corner of the stadium but were silenced by Kareem's goal. The lanky defender leapt above the NEROCA's players as he headed his first goal of the season home.

Gift Raikhan's boys almost scored the equaliser just before halftime. Felix Chidi did all the hard work as he skipped past Aizawl defenders and slid a delightful pass to Subash Singh but the Manipuri forward could not find the back of the net.

The halftime break proved vital for the away side as they started to dominate the game in the second half. But it was the home side who had the first goal scoring chance after the lemon break. Dodoz's cross was met by Andrei but the Romanian shot again struck the woodwork.

Felix Chidi scored the equaliser in the 65th minute after a wonderful team game broke Aizawl defence.

Turkovic then stunned all in the dying embers of the game when he perfectly converted David Biakzara's cross from the left wing.

Aizawl will host Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan in their next game on Thursday (January 25) and NEROCA will play another Northeastern Derby when they host Shillong Lajong on Wednesday (January 24).

Match result: Aizawl FC 1 (Kareem Omolaja 39) lost to NEROCA FC 2 (Felix Chidi 65, Nedo Turkovic 85)

Source: AIFF Media