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NEROCA FC saw some nervy moments at the end of the game, before pulling off a win against Shillong Lajong on Friday. They defeated the neighbours 3-2 in the North-Eastern Derby at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal.
The win takes NEROCA FC into the second position of the league table with 21 points from 11 matches. Shillong, despite a spirited fight this time, stayed on the bottom with four points from 11 matches.
Katsumi Yusa put the home side ahead in the eighth minute with a penalty before Subhash Singh added the second in the 20th minute. Lajong’s Sheen Sohktung reduced the margin from a penalty in the 54th minute before Aibanbha Dohling scored an own goal to maintain the two-goal difference.
Lajong put up a spirited display late in the second half and even scored through Phrangki Buam but couldn’t find the equalizer.
We now look at the three reasons behind NEROCA FC’s win:
#3 Complete domination from the whole team
Last year, in their debut season in the I-League, NEROCA FC finished in the second position. This year too, they kept the same vein of form but are looking more dangerous with their performance.
The inclusion of Aryn Williams, Eduardo Ferreira and Katsumi Yusa in the team seems to have changed the mood of the camp. The team is now more positive, more confident and more attacking when they take the field.
Every member takes up the same responsibility on the field and doesn’t depend on any individual display. It is true that at the end of the day, one or two players who score and make the difference, but the collective effort behind the goal never goes hidden.
Take the example of Malemnganba Meitei. He was unlucky against Shillong Lajong to not score a goal. But he did everything to make it happen. He worked hard on the field and created moves whenever he got the ball on his feet.
Subhash Singh got away with the Man of the Match award but he got the support of everyone, including Williams, who also played a decisive role in the midfield. There were also Thangjam Saran Singh and Ashok Singh, both of whom could’ve scored.
#2 Aibanbha’s poor display let Shillong down
Shillong Lajong coach Alison Kharsyntiew decided to bench regular captain Samuel Lalhlimpuia and gave the captain’s armband to Aibanbha Dohling, one of their trusted lieutenants on the midfield. However, the move came back to haunt him and Dohling had his worst day on the field. Though Samuel came on later in the second half, there was little time to change the complexion of the game.
All the three goals came from mistakes of Dohling. He never looked confident in his role. Within just eight minutes of the game, he fouled Japanese striker Katsumi Yusa within the box. The foul was rough and completely unnecessary given the situation of the game. Katsumi scored to put NEROCA FC ahead.
Just twelve minutes later, he failed to stop Subhash Singh and the latter’s shot deflected off Dohling’s leg to change its direction and went into the net, leaving goalkeeper Neto bamboozled.
Lajong got themselves back into the game in the second half and just a minute after they scored, Dohling failed to make a clearance and put the ball into his own net. It was a poor display from the captain and had the third goal not been scored, Lajong would have come away with a point.
#1 Brilliant Katsumi made NEROCA FC’s task easier
With each passing day, Katsumi is proving his worth for his new team. He has now become an integral part of the team, which depends on the Japanese when it comes to scoring goals.
Katsumi was playing as a withdrawal midfielder, just behind the striker and hovering around the field quite often. He has good speed and can find the slimmest gap between the defenders. He can take clever positions to score goals.
The Japanese assisted during the second goal with a very intelligent pass to Subhash Singh. After getting the ball from Williams, Katsumi saw a lot of space on the left side and used the space behind the defender to pass it to Subhash.
Katsumi has built-up a brilliant combination with Williams and is the main man behind NEROCA FC’s impressive display. Whenever someone gets the ball, they try and pass it on to Katsumi, who in turn make clever moves and converts it into a goal.
The Japanese has to keep this momentum in every match.
