Indian Navy FT post comfortable win over NEROCA FC
NEROCA FC – 0
Indian Navy FT – 2 (Roshan Panna 23′, E. Muhammed Inayath 65′)
By Suman Munshi
Chief Editor, IBG NEWS
Imphal, August 5: Indian Navy Football Team returned to winning ways in the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over NEROCA FC in a Group D encounter at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Wednesday. A composed finish from Roshan Panna in the first half and a moment of brilliance from E. Muhammed Inayath after the break ensured the Sailors collected their first three points of the campaign.
With the victory, Indian Navy climbed to second place in the Group D standings with three points from two matches, while NEROCA FC remained at the bottom of the table after managing just one point from their opening two fixtures.
Both teams began the contest with high intensity despite difficult ground conditions, pressing aggressively and battling for midfield supremacy. The opening exchanges produced few clear-cut opportunities as both sides remained compact and disciplined. NEROCA’s Maibam Deny Singh registered the first attempt on goal with a long-range effort that drifted wide.
The hosts threatened around the 20-minute mark through an impressive attacking move involving Ngathem Imarson Meitei and Senegalese striker Modou Mbengue. However, the final cross evaded its intended target, while another effort from Mbengue was comfortably gathered by Indian Navy goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy.
Indian Navy broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Vijay Marandi delivered an accurate chipped pass over the NEROCA defence. Roshan Panna reacted quickly, rounded goalkeeper Penand Singh with composure and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net to hand the visitors the lead.
After taking the advantage, the Sailors controlled possession effectively and denied NEROCA any meaningful openings. Although the hosts attempted to create chances from wide areas, the Navy defence remained organised and comfortably dealt with the aerial threat to carry a deserved one-goal lead into the interval.
The visitors continued to dominate after the restart, dictating the tempo with patient passing and intelligent movement in midfield. Their superiority was rewarded in the 65th minute when E. Muhammed Inayath produced an outstanding solo effort, dribbling past defenders before his attempted cross unexpectedly looped over the goalkeeper and found the far corner of the net to double the advantage.
NEROCA pressed forward in search of a response during the closing stages, but Indian Navy’s disciplined defensive unit stood firm. The Sailors also looked dangerous on the counterattack, with substitute Pangambam Naoba Meitei repeatedly stretching the defence and forcing Penand Singh into several excellent saves to prevent a heavier defeat.
The home side’s best opportunity arrived late in the match following a goalmouth scramble, but substitute Sridarth Nongmeikapam failed to keep his close-range effort on target. Another substitute, Chabungbam Linky Meitei, also missed a promising opportunity as Indian Navy comfortably saw out the remainder of the contest.
The victory provides valuable momentum for Indian Navy FT as the tournament progresses, while NEROCA FC will now look to revive their campaign in the remaining Group D fixtures.
All 43 matches of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup are being broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV.
Tomorrow’s Matches
Indian Navy FT post comfortable win over NEROCA FC
NEROCA FC – 0
Indian Navy FT – 2 (Roshan Panna 23′, E. Muhammed Inayath 65′)
By Suman Munshi
Chief Editor, IBG NEWS
Imphal, August 5: Indian Navy Football Team returned to winning ways in the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over NEROCA FC in a Group D encounter at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Wednesday. A composed finish from Roshan Panna in the first half and a moment of brilliance from E. Muhammed Inayath after the break ensured the Sailors collected their first three points of the campaign.
With the victory, Indian Navy climbed to second place in the Group D standings with three points from two matches, while NEROCA FC remained at the bottom of the table after managing just one point from their opening two fixtures.
Both teams began the contest with high intensity despite difficult ground conditions, pressing aggressively and battling for midfield supremacy. The opening exchanges produced few clear-cut opportunities as both sides remained compact and disciplined. NEROCA’s Maibam Deny Singh registered the first attempt on goal with a long-range effort that drifted wide.
The hosts threatened around the 20-minute mark through an impressive attacking move involving Ngathem Imarson Meitei and Senegalese striker Modou Mbengue. However, the final cross evaded its intended target, while another effort from Mbengue was comfortably gathered by Indian Navy goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy.
Indian Navy broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Vijay Marandi delivered an accurate chipped pass over the NEROCA defence. Roshan Panna reacted quickly, rounded goalkeeper Penand Singh with composure and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net to hand the visitors the lead.
After taking the advantage, the Sailors controlled possession effectively and denied NEROCA any meaningful openings. Although the hosts attempted to create chances from wide areas, the Navy defence remained organised and comfortably dealt with the aerial threat to carry a deserved one-goal lead into the interval.
The visitors continued to dominate after the restart, dictating the tempo with patient passing and intelligent movement in midfield. Their superiority was rewarded in the 65th minute when E. Muhammed Inayath produced an outstanding solo effort, dribbling past defenders before his attempted cross unexpectedly looped over the goalkeeper and found the far corner of the net to double the advantage.
NEROCA pressed forward in search of a response during the closing stages, but Indian Navy’s disciplined defensive unit stood firm. The Sailors also looked dangerous on the counterattack, with substitute Pangambam Naoba Meitei repeatedly stretching the defence and forcing Penand Singh into several excellent saves to prevent a heavier defeat.
The home side’s best opportunity arrived late in the match following a goalmouth scramble, but substitute Sridarth Nongmeikapam failed to keep his close-range effort on target. Another substitute, Chabungbam Linky Meitei, also missed a promising opportunity as Indian Navy comfortably saw out the remainder of the contest.
The victory provides valuable momentum for Indian Navy FT as the tournament progresses, while NEROCA FC will now look to revive their campaign in the remaining Group D fixtures.
All 43 matches of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup are being broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV.
Tomorrow’s Matches
- Bodoland FC vs FC1 (Group F) – 4:00 PM, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
- Nongkseh SS & CC vs Langsning FC (Group E) – 7:00 PM, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong
