Durand Cup Football: Neroca Edge Out Aizawl FC, Army Green Held by Minerva

In what was termed as the 'North East derby' between two very well-matched outfits in the 128th Durand Cup football tournament, Imphal-based Neroca Football Club on Saturday trumped last year's I-League debutants Aizawl FC by a solitary goal in a Pool B match at the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi.

In a Pool A match at the Harbaksh Singh Stadium, Army Green were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom placed Minerva FC, who came back from a two-goal deficit to go home with a point.

A large crowd witnessed a titanic struggle between the two Northeastern sides who were playing each other for the first time. The match started on a brisk note, and attacking midfielder David Lalbiakzara, ironically a Mizo footballer who signed for Neroca FC this year, scored a stunning goal in the 11th minute with a rising, curling shot in the 11th minute.

Aizawl FC attacked relentlessly in the second half but Neroca FC's defence held firm. For this historic win, the manager of Neroca FC, an Imphal based businessmen Tharun Kumar, announced a bonus of Rs. 2,000 for each player.

Neroca have now moved to the top of Pool B with seven points from three matches. Aizawl, on the other hand, are now in the second spot with six points from three matches.

At the Harbaksh Singh Stadium, Army Green went 2-0 ahead with a headed goal from midfielder PV Linesh in the 26th minute and a successful spot kick from striker PC Lallawmnika in the 35th minute. However, Minerva rallied in the second half. The club's foreign striker Marcus Lopez reduced the margin with a powerful header n the 47th minute and equalised at the hour mark when he converted a penalty kick.

Army Green are now third in Pool A with five points from three matches, while Minerva FC are bottom of the six team group with one point from three matches.