Imphal (Manipur)[India], August 8 (ANI): NEROCA FC and Indian Navy FT performed out a hard-fought goalless draw of their Group F encounter of the 134th Durand Cup, right here on the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, to earn a degree every. Despite a number of half-chances and moments of promise, each side failed to seek out the completion in a match that was excessive on midfield battles and defensive organisation.
NEROCA head coach Gyan Moyon made three modifications to his beginning XI from the Imphal Derby, switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jetli Sorokhaibam got here in as goalkeeper, Gotimayum Muktasana was handed a midfield position, and Brazilian Lucas Da Silva slotted into the defence. Indian Navy head coach Raman Rai opted to retain his beginning lineup from their earlier win, sticking with the 4-3-3 system led by captain Bhaskar Roy in aim, with Vijay Marandi and Sreyas on the flanks and Roshan Panna up entrance.
Deny Singh of the Indian Navy made the primary try within the sixth minute with a right-footed strike from the wing, however NEROCA’s keeper Jetli Sorokhaibam was equal to the duty, diving low to his left to make a cushty save.
The Orange Brigade responded within the eleventh minute when a via ball from midfield launched Lourembam on the left. He sprinted down the flank and fired a shot at aim, however Bhaskar Roy dealt with it with out fuss. The subsequent jiffy noticed NEROCA dominate possession, testing the Sailors’ line of defense with bursts from Lourembam and Rohit Meetei, however the Navy defenders held agency.
Indian Navy had their moments too, with Deny Singh orchestrating the play from deep and threading via balls for Sreyas. However, the ahead did not capitalise on these alternatives; his shot within the twenty seventh minute lacked energy and went straight to the keeper.
The first half noticed sturdy defensive shows from each side. For NEROCA, Lucas Da Silva and Japes had been notably strong on the again, intercepting key runs and managing aerial balls nicely.
The greatest likelihood of the second half for the Sailors got here within the fiftieth minute when Roshan Panna laid the ball off for Deny Singh, whose curling effort spun large. Three minutes later, Deny had one other crack from exterior the field, but it surely went large.
Neroca’s skipper Kinesh Singh almost broke the impasse within the sixtieth minute, however his left-footed placement off a lofted cross missed the goal. Three minutes later, the Sailors had been awarded a free kick on the sting of the field, however Adersh’s effort struck the wall.
In the 88th minute, the Indian Navy got here closest to a winner when substitute Sadananda Singh delivered an ideal ball to an unmarked Sreyas close to the aim, just for the ahead to hit the put up. A minute later, Gomado had the same alternative on the different finish however fired large.
The final little bit of drama got here within the dying seconds of harm time when Zlex acquired a direct pink card for a tactical foul on Roshan Panna, halting a Navy counterattack. Pintu, nonetheless, failed to bother the keeper from the ensuing freekick from the sting of the field because the referee blew the ultimate whistle with the scoreline as 0-0.
Indian Navy FT, who are actually on 4 factors from two matches, stay on high of Group F and can face TRAU FC subsequent on August 12. NEROCA FC, on two factors, will tackle Real Kashmir FC on August 10.
All matches of the 134th Durand Cup are being broadcast LIVE on Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten 2 channels) and streamed on SonyLiv. (ANI)