MATCH REPORT: NEROCA lose title race grip playing a goalless draw against Aizawl FC

A CRUCIAL game for NEROCA as they aimed to keep pressure on Minerva Punjab for the title race. Aizawl FC have had a disappointing run as defending champions.

Early in the game, NEROCA threatened. Gopi was through but could not get to the ball. Avilash made a good save getting to the ball first. Chidi created space from outside the box and shot with power but could not keep his shot on target.
NEROCA saw most themselves winning many set pieces. One such opportunity was when Saran Singh stood behind the ball just on the top right side of the box. Brilliantly the ball was played into space in the box and Nedo had to just tap it in. But the striker was late to react and lost the chance. 
Aizawl FC had a shot on goal when Andrei shot in a hurry but Bishorjit had it covered. Dodoz leaped well to connect a corner taken by David but could not keep it on target. A minute to half time and NEROCA could have taken the lead. Subhash did brilliantly from the right to send the perfect ball in the box for Nedo. He missed a sitter. The half ended goalless.

Around the 72nd minute, David had scored from outside the box but it was disallowed. An Aizawl FC player’s touch on the goal line made him offside as he guided David’s shot which was going in the goal anyways. Hence the goal did not count.
Chidi had a one on one chance with Avilash inside the last 15 minutes. The Aizawl FC keeper made a great save diving to his left to deny Neroca a goal. Dodoz late in the added timecould have won it for Aizawl. He could choose either sides of the keeper to aim at being right in front of goal but only manged to drag his shot wide of the target.