NEROCA, TRAU share I-League derby honours

There was hardly anything to separate the two sides engaged in the first Imphal derby of the season and it was fitting that NEROCA and TRAU played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their I-League encounter at Kalyani Municipal Stadium near Kolkata on Friday.
Both the goals came inside the first 15 minutes of the match. NEROCA took the lead through Varun Thokchom while Nigerian Joseph Olaleye got the equaliser for TRAU.With inexperienced backline, both teams left wide gaps in the defence and opportunities came in both side's way throughout the match but none could capitalise on the stray chances.
TRAU started the proceedings on a fast lane with the first chance of the match coming in Komron Tursunov's way in the seventh minute. Attacking midfielder Olaleye played an intercepted ball in Tursunov's way but the Tajikistani forward failed to find the back of the net from a tight angle on right.
Three minutes later, NEROCA took the lead against the run of play. An alert NEROCA winger Songpu Singsit snatched the ball from TRAU defender Dinesh Singh near the right flank before making a brisk run and sending in an inch-perfect cross for Varun Thokchom, who was left totally unmarked by the out of position TRAU backline. With ample time in his hand and no white shirt around and on TV screen, the youngster kept his cool, took his time before slotting home over an onrushing TRAU goalkeeper Poirei Meitei Soram.
However, the Orange brigade could enjoy the lead only for five minutes as they paid the price of allowing Joseph a free header. Tursunov's teasing corner from left found the tall Nigerain near the first post and his powerful header beat NEROCA custodian Bishorjit Singh all ends up before hitting the roof of the net.
Gift Raikhan's boys could well have restored the lead had centre forward Khanngam Horam not missed a golden chance in the 37th minute.