NEROCA FC Rally Past Nine-Man FC Raengdai to End Durand Cup Campaign with a Win

NEROCA FC ended their 135th IndianOil Durand Cup campaign on a winning note after coming from behind to defeat nine-man FC Raengdai 3-1 at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Wednesday.

Jonah Kamei gave FC Raengdai an early lead in the 19th minute, but NEROCA levelled eight minutes later through an own goal from Thoudam Nani Singh. The game remained evenly poised at half-time before Raengdai were reduced to nine players early in the second half.

NEROCA eventually made their numerical advantage count in the closing stages. Substitute Chabungbam Linky Meitei headed the hosts in front in the 89th minute before Yumnam Renedy Meitei sealed the comeback with a stoppage-time goal. The victory took NEROCA to four points from three Group D matches, while FC Raengdai finished the group stage with six points. Raengdai had already secured their place in the quarter-finals before Wednesday's match.

NEROCA made five changes to their starting XI, with Naorem Kiranjit Singh replacing Abujam Penand Singh in goal. Soibam Abhinash Singh and Lambalmayum Hemba Meetei came into the defence, while Sinam Maichael Singh and Sridarth Nongmeikapam were also handed starts. FC Raengdai, already assured of a quarter-final place, made three changes. Yaithengbam Suraj Singh started in goal, Jonah Kamei took over the captain's armband, and Thoudam Nani Singh came into midfield.

NEROCA had the first opportunity inside three minutes when Sibajit Singh found space inside the box after receiving a pass from Maichael Singh. However, he failed to make clean contact and his effort drifted wide. Raengdai briefly thought they had taken the lead when Amarjit Singh produced an acrobatic finish, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The visitors eventually found the breakthrough in the 19th minute. Jonah Kamei peeled away from his marker to meet a corner and powered a header towards the bottom corner. The ball beat both the NEROCA goalkeeper and the defender stationed on the goal line to put Raengdai ahead. NEROCA responded through set-pieces, with Zidan Singh twice coming close with headers, but neither attempt troubled the goalkeeper.

The equaliser arrived in the 27th minute and came from a defensive mistake. Modou Mbengue won possession from Keiphaba Meitei near the edge of the box before attempting to square the ball towards a teammate. Nani Singh tried to intervene and clear the danger but instead turned the ball into his own net.

The own goal brought NEROCA back into the contest at 1-1. The hosts began to gain greater control in midfield as the first half progressed and created more opportunities. David Singh came close to completing the turnaround when he was left unmarked inside the box, but his header from a cross on the right went off target.

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Raengdai remained dangerous on the counter and through set-pieces, but neither side could produce another goal before the interval.

Raengdai made three substitutions at half-time in an attempt to regain control of midfield, bringing on Soraisham Surjakanta Singh, Chuingampou Kamei and Tingkaochun Gangmei. However, the game changed dramatically in the 55th minute. P.M. Rakeveiche was shown a straight red card following a high-boot challenge on NEROCA defender Soibam Abhinash Singh near the touchline. The referee initially produced a yellow card before consulting the assistant referee and upgrading the decision to red.

Raengdai were down to 10 players. Just three minutes later, they were reduced to nine. Soraisham Surjakanta Singh, who had only recently entered the match, received his second yellow card and was sent off. The midfielder had already been booked for a similar challenge before receiving another yellow shortly afterwards.

With Raengdai down to nine men, NEROCA took complete control of possession.

Raengdai responded by defending deep, with their outfield players positioned behind the ball to deny NEROCA space in the final third. The visitors also replaced striker Midul Doley with centre-back Rojen Meetei as they prioritised defensive solidity. NEROCA continued to attack in waves but struggled to find the decisive finish. Linky Meitei came closest when he found space inside the penalty area, but his effort from around 10 yards was straight at the goalkeeper.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 89th minute. After sustained pressure, substitute Imarson Meitei delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box. Linky Meitei met it with a well-directed header and sent the ball into the net to put NEROCA 2-1 ahead.

The comeback was completed in stoppage time. Yumnam Renedy Meitei beat the goalkeeper with a composed finish to make it 3-1 and secure NEROCA's first win of the campaign.

While NEROCA leave the competition after finishing their group campaign with four points, FC Raengdai can now turn their attention to the knockout stage. Despite the defeat, Raengdai had already done enough in their opening matches to secure progression to the quarter-finals. Their Group D campaign ended with six points.

The Durand Cup Tournament Society also recognised Midul Doley as Group D's Emerging Player, presenting him with a ₹1 lakh cash award. The award was presented by Lt. Gen. Girish Kalia AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, 3 CORPS. The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup continues on Thursday, with Jamshedpur FC facing Indian Air Force FT in Ranchi, Bodoland FC taking on Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in Guwahati, and Shillong Lajong FC meeting Langsning FC in Shillong.

All 43 matches of the tournament are being broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV.