I-League 2017-18: NEROCA FC vs Mohun Bagan, Talking Points

The 76th match of the Hero I-League 2017-18 season saw title challengers NEROCA FC take on Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan in the last home match of the season at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, Manipur.

The home side began the game on the top of the table with a total of 31 points from their sixteen games of the season. Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, was in the fourth spot at the start of the game with 21 points from their fourteen games and a win today would put them within two points of traditional rivals East Bengal FC.

Mohun Bagan won 3-2 in a match that saw an action-packed first half game with five goals being scored. NEROCA had taken the lead through Subhash Singh but Dicka scored from the spot within four minutes to equalize. Soon, Felix Chidi got the lead back for NEROCA but Dicka was there again to make it all square for the visitors. Akram Moghrabi got the winner in the added time of the first half as Bagan held on to the lead in the final 45 minutes to take away three crucial away points.

Subhash Singham scores early to put NEROCA on the front foot

NEROCA FC — Subhash Singh's goal sent the crowd into raucous cheers (Photo Credits: I-League Media)

Mohun Bagan began the game on a strong note dominating in the midfield, not allowing NEROCA any time on the ball. In the 16th minute, Singham Subhash Singh scored against the run of play giving the home side lead in the match. He robbed Kinshuk Debnath with good pressing and finished with a great lob over the rushing Shilton Paul.

The finish sent the home crowd into loud bursts of cheers as they witnessed a great goal from the crowd favourite Singham Subhash Singh in the last home match of the season.

Dicka equalizes from the spot to make it all square

However, the home side's joy was shortlived as just four minutes later, NEROCA FC keeper Bishorjit Singh conceded a penalty when he brought down Dicka and the ref pointed to the spot. The top scorer in the Hero I-League, Dicka, made no mistake as he scored into the top corner to make it all square.

The keeper guessed right but the direction and height of the ball beat the diving custodian as Mohun Bagan got back quickly into the game. It was far from over at this point,and the Mariners knew that this was the perfect opportunity to mount a comeback.

Felix Chidi regains the lead quickly for the home side but Dicka equalizes

NEROCA FC battled hard after conceding the penalty goal and were rewarded within a space of four minutes. Tondonba Singh sent in a long ball from the defence for Felix Chidi but the clearance was fumbled up by Bagan skipper Kinshuk Debnath as he fell in an attempt to make an overhead kick clearance and Chidi pounced. The striker ran into the box and finished well to put the home side in the lead again.

Mohun Bagan kept the pressure in the midfield intact and did not let NEROCA take control of the tempo of the game. A cross from the right by Arijit Bagui into the box found the run of Cameron Watson beating the offside trap. Watson was about to finish the chance but Dipanda Dicka rushed in to tap it in for a simple goal. The striker doubled his tally in the match maintaining his run at the top of the scorer's standings.

Akram Moghrabi strikes late in the first half to give Bagan the lead

Mohun Bagan was on the up after equalizing with Dicka's tap-in goal in the 31st minute of the match. They kept pushing for the leading goal with constant barrages on the NEROCA defence from all fronts.

The away side was rewarded in the added time of the first half when a cross put in by Nikhil Kadam into the box found Yuta Kinowaki open. The Japanese midfielder nodded the cross into the path of Lebanese striker Akram Moghrabi who made no mistake in finishing an easy goal into the net.

The first half ended 3-2 in favour of the Mohun Bagan side as they came back twice from going down in the match to take the lead in a volatile first half of the match.

Mohun Bagan hold on to keep NEROCA at bay

Mohun Bagan held on to the lead in the second half (Photo Credits: I-League Media)

NEROCA FC began the second half with renewed fervour after going down in the match despite taking the lead twice through Subhash Singh and Felix Chidi.

Mohun Bagan played a very calm and composed game as they controlled the pace of the match from their midfield. Kinowaki and Watson were crucial as they moved the ball around well and broke up a lot of attacks. Dipanda Dicka was always an option in the attack for the visitors. The defenders did well to keep the threat of Subhash and Chidi in check as they took a lot of shots on the goal.

The win for Mohun Bagan puts NEROCA in a tight spot as they have just one game to play in the league with Minerva Punjab having played three fewer matches in the season. Mohun Bagan have a mathematical chance of winning the title but it will depend on the top three losing all their games.