KALYANI: Relegation was confirmed for NEROCA FC as the Gift Raikhan-coached side slumped to yet another defeat, losing by 0-1 against Sudeva Delhi FC at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.
Gursimrat Singh Gill’s header in added time of the first half proved to be the difference between the two sides in a match where NEROCA had largely themselves to blame for the defeat. Had they taken their chances, they could have won the match by a comfortable margin.
Coming on the back of a 0-1 loss to Aizawl FC in their last match, NEROCA needed to gather all three points in order to stand a chance of taking the relegation battle to the final matchday. The Gift Raikhan-coached side played with desperation from the opening minutes of the match, in their quest to take the early lead.
Although NEROCA committed bodies in the attack, they once again lacked creativity in the final third and were restricted to rotating the ball around the box. Sudeva Delhi FC, meanwhile, played on the counter and Kean Lewis’ crosses inside the box from the flanks tested the NEROCA defence time and again. In the 16th minute, Sudeva Delhi FC had their first opportunity on goal when Mahesh Singh tested his luck from distance. The strike, although accurate, lacked venom and was easily collected by the opposition goalkeeper.
All of Sudeva’s attacking play finally reaped dividends in the added time of the first half when Gursimrat Singh Gill headed the ball home after Shaiborlang Kharpan had robbed possession off the NEROCA custodian before releasing a cross to find Gill’s head.
Arrows pierce Aizawl: All India Football Federation’s developmental side, the Indian Arrows, showed grit, determination, and fighting spirit in their 2-1 win over Aizawl FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Parthib Gogoi’s 11th minute strike was cancelled out by a wonder goal from Malsawmtluanga (22nd), but the Arrows showcased their never-say-die attitude as Lalchhanhima Sailo’s strike in the 36th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides. Goalkeeper Syed Zahid Hussain Bukhari, in inspired form, made some crucial saves in the second half to help the young guns in maintaining their lead.
Although Aizawl FC kept hold of the ball for much of the half, they fell behind in the 11th minute courtesy of a beautiful Parthib Gogoi goal. A deflected shot found Gogoi inside the box and the nimble-footed forward curled the ball into the back of the net with an outside-of-the-boot shot, as the Indian Arrows led 1-0. (Report & picture: AIFF Media)
Points Table Hero I-League 20-21
Phase – 2 Group B
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
| Aizawl FC | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 18 |
| Sudeva Delhi FC | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 15 |
| Chennai City FC | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 12 |
| Indian Arrows | 13 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| NEROCA FC | 13 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
