Imphal: Neroca’s unscathed run of nine games came to an end with a shock 0-2 defeat against Shillong Lajong at the Khuman Lampak Stadium on Wednesday.
It was the home side that dominated the proceedings but two first-half goals in the space of six minutes from both Saihou Jagne and Abdoulaye Koffi, was enough for Lajong to secure a comfortable win.
The win helped the ‘Reds’ leapfrog Mohun Bagan into fourth, but Neroca remained second despite the defeat on 21 points from 11 matches, a rung below Minerva Punjab who have played two game less.
While the defeat may have jeopardised their maiden title aspirations, coach Gift Raikhan however remain assured, “I think today’s loss will become the stepping stone for us to become champions. “I didn’t say this before but I think this team will be champion now,” he added.
The game had began in exactly that manner as Neroca did just what champion sides do, exerting early pressure on their opponent. Subhash Singh’s effort as early as the fourth1 minute sailed into goal but Lajong custodian Nidhin Lal stood up, to parry it away.
But it was Lajong who took a surprise lead in the 13th minute against the run of play. A long ball from Rakesh Pradhan found Saihou Jagne and the Gambian footballer made no mistake, controlling the ball with ease before slotting it past Shambu Mistry for his maiden league goal.
The early shock had not yet ended for the debutants when Lajong struck five minutes later leaving the 15,000 odd crowd dead silent. Abdoulaye Koffi’s stunning header after the Ivorian forward jumped over Gouramangi Singh to connect a Novin Gurung cross struck the upright before sailing past the goal-line.
It forced Raikhan into early changes who brought on David Lalbiakzara and Saran Singh, a move that nearly paid dividends when the latter’s free-kick was smashed into goal by Williams but Turkovic’s touch of hand disallowed the goal to stand.
Things however looked different for the home side as the second-half progressed as Neroca attracked with intense. That five of their 14 goals have come in the last 15 minutes, added to their hopes but Lajong held on to eventually clinch a surprise win over their now more fancied counterparts.