I-League 2017-18: Mohun Bagan conquers Neroca, another twist in the title race

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Dipanda Dicka scored a brace against Neroca today. Image Source: Hotstar

XtraTime Desk: It was a very entertaining fixture as goals flooded in the first half as Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan faced Neroca in their away fixture. The Green & Maroon Brigade won the thrilling encounter 3-2 as both the sides missed some chances where Shilton Paul did well to deny the home side from scoring in the second half. After losing this match Neroca is almost out of the title race with one game left for them in this season’s I-League campaign. After this game Mohun Bagan is at 24 points from 15 matches and Neroca is on 31 with one match left in their campaign.

It all started in the 16th minute of the game as Bagan skipper Kinshuk Debnath fumbled chasing Subash Singh got the ball and placed the ball beyond the reach of Shilton to score the first goal.

The Green and Maroon Brigade replied just after three minutes conceding the goal as Dipanda Dicka was fouled by Neroca goalkeeper Bishorjit Singh and awarded the penalty. Dipanda Dicka didn’t do any wrong and scored from the spot. Neroca scored again in the 24 th minute as Felin Chidi again took the advantage as Mohun skipper’s tumbled to clear a ball and Chidi received it and deliverd to the back of the net.

Dipanda Dicka equalized again his scoring in the 30 th minute as Arijit Bagui crossed a brilliant cross to Cameron Watson who was free on goal but, his first touch wasn’t good as the ball went slightly away from him and Dicka rushes in to score his 11th of the campaign. Referee denied the appeal from Neroca players as they demanded it as an off side.

In the 47th minute(45’+2) of the game the visitors took the lead for the first time. An over hit cross by Nikhil Kadam headed back across the goal by an overlapping Yuta Kinowaki and Akram Moghrabi headed to the goal.

Bagan managed to keep their defense compact in the second half although, the home side failed to eqalise despite their desperate attempts to the goal.  Subhash Singh received the hero of the match award. Some unnecessary fouls broke the tempo of the game many times but all in all it was very entertaining for the crowd as they turned up in numbers to support the home team.