The relief on the faces of RoundGlass Punjab footballers after the final whistle was proof that their coach did not overestimate NEROCA when he said on Saturday that they are too good a side to be languishing in the second-last spot on the I-League points table. However, that did not change
Tough matches bring the best out of good sides. RoundGlass Punjab FC stayed true to the maxim here at Tau Devi Lal Stadium on Sunday, January 8, beating NEROCA FC 3-1 in a keen contest.
Sreenidi Deccan went into the winter break holding a two-point lead and will look to extend the gap when they take on Mumbai Kenkre FC. Both teams have come into this fixture having won their last game, prior to the break. The Deccan Warriors beat NEROCA away from home by a solitary goal, wh
Seven of the last eight I-League seasons have been decided on the final day, and it's no surprise to see a similar pattern evolving this time around too.
Following this win, Sreenidi Deccan is now at the top of the table, followed by Real Kashmir FC, who have 16 points after playing one match less than the current table toppers. NEROCA FC stay at tenth on the table with seven points from nine matches
NEROCA were the dominant side in the early stages, with midfielders Mirjalol Kasimov and Tangva Ragui doing most of the running. The Orange Brigade, however, were unable to translate that possession into goals, while the hosts were happy to sit back and defend
The hosts head into the fixture with confidence sky-high after two morale-boosting wins at home against RoundGlass Punjab FC (2-0) and city rivals NEROCA FC (2-1).
The hosts start as favourites by virtue of their 100 per cent win rate at home so far, which includes victories against Sudeva Delhi FC (3-0) and Rajasthan United FC (1-0) in their last two fixtures.
Aizawl earned just a single point in their last two games. They salvaged a draw against Churchill Brothers after Henry Kisekka scored the equaliser in the final quarter of the game.
The hosts will be eager to continue their winning run, having registered victories in their last two matches against Sudeva Delhi FC (3-1) and NEROCA FC (1-0) respectively. With a total of three wins and just one loss so far, the Desert Warriors sit in fourth place on the points table.