Imphal, December 12: Mohammedan Sporting Club tested their first defeat in ongoing 2nd Division League as the Black Panthers went down 1-2 against leaders Neroca FC in their Round-5 Eastern Conference encounter played at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Saturday afternoon.
After a barren first-half the hosts surged ahead through Jopesh Ikechukwu (49′) only for super-sub Ajay Singh (72′) to restore the parity for the visitors but a injury time goal from Moirangthem Ashok Singh (90+2′) ensured full three points for the hosts.
Going into the game Mohammedan coach made five changes from the side that beat Fateh Hyderabad on Tuesday handing starts to Sourav Chakrabory (GK), Tonmoy Ghosh, Rana Gharami, Basanta Singh and
Bisheshwor Singh. It was an evenly contested affair in the first session where both teams had their moments but neither of them could able to find the breakthrough as teams took breather at half-time with scores locked goalless.
Neroca FC, however, took the lead only four minutes into the second-half courtesy Joseph, who scored a stunner to saw Mohammedan trailing first time in the competition. Having suffered the jolt coach Bhattacharya threw Ajay into the action replacing Mumtaz Akhar in the 52nd minute. The Punjabi striker, who scored the winner against Fateh Hyderabad, netted the equaliser this time in the 72nd minute from Imran Khan’s pass.
Thereafter, both teams were seen losing temper often during last quarter of the game which saw referee gave marching orders to Mohammedan striker Taurus Manneh and Neroca FC custodian L. Ashok Singh, following the red card to the home keeper, outrageous Neroca FC fans started throwing bottles onto the field which halted the game for few minutes. Neroca FC, who used their all three substitutions prior to the sent-off were forced to use striker Ronald Singh as goalkeeper for last 8 minutes of the game. But the
drama doesn’t end there as Moirangthem Ashok struck the late winner for the hosts that send them 3 points clear at the summit of league table on 10 points.
Mohammedan Sporting, who are second in the table on 7 points will host Fateh Hyderabad next on Saturday.