NEROCA FC come back from a two-goal deficit to beat Kerala Blasters 3-2 in the final round of 16 clash of the Super Cup 2018 at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
Pulga and Prasanth K had put Blasters in front scoring in the 11th and 49th minute of the match, but Joachim Junior, Aryn Williams and Felix Chidi scored three goals in the span of 12 minutes to seal a memorable win for the Manipuri side.
Former Chennai City FC striker Joachim Junior made his debut for NEROCA tonight and he started up front as the lone striker. Coach Gift Raikhan deployed Felix Chidi on the right flank. Aryn Williams played in the number 10 role just behind Joachim. David James’s men lined up in 4-2-3-1 formation with CK Vineeth starting up front. Surprisingly central midfielder Milan Singh started on the left flank.
Kerala Blasters broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Pulga converted a penalty. Gouramangi Singh was at fault for handling the ball inside the box.
The Indian Super League side dominated proceedings right from the beginning and showed more intent than the I-League runners-up. Prasanth K came close to score the second goal for his side in the 26th minute after receiving a long ball on the right flank. He cut in from the right and went for the goal but unfortunately, it hit the post and came back.
NEROCA’s only chance in the first half came just three before halftime when Felix Chidi received a ball at the edge of the box from Joachim and went for the goal with a curling shot but Rachubka managed to save it.
Just two minutes after the second half kick-off, Courage Pekuson attempted a shot at goal from the halfway line after seeing Lalit Thapa out of his line. Unfortunately, the ball went just wide off the goal post.
Blasters increased their lead in the 49th-minute thanks to a strike from Prasanth. Lalruatthara exchanged a one-two with Pulga inside the box and then squared the ball at the far post for Prasanth. The Blasters youngster comfortably tapped the ball in.
NEROCA came close to score in the 61st minute when Kiatamba attempted a header from Pritam Singh’s cross from a point-blank range. But Paul Rachubka did well to fist the ball above the crossbar.
The I-League side pulled one back in the 70th minute as debutant Joachim Junior found the back of the net. Subash Singh floated a long ball inside the box which Joachim received and scored immediately.
They equalised in the 79th minute when Aryn Williams headed the ball in from Pritam Singh’s cross from the right flank. It was heartbreak for Blasters who had a better game tonight.
In the 81st minute, Felix Chidi scored the winning goal from a penalty after Wes Brown was guilty of handball inside the box. Ashok Singh kept a low ball from the right flank inside the box and Joachim received it. His touch was a little too strong and as a result, the ball jumped a bit and hit Brown’s arm. Referee Pranjal Banerjee immediately pointed towards the penalty spot.
NEROCA kept their lead for the remainder of the game and confirmed their place in the last eight stage where they face Bengaluru FC.
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