I-League: Sudeva Delhi hold Neroca FC to cagey 1-1 draw; Sreenidi Deccan down Indian Arrows

Naihati: Shubho Paul was on target as Sudeva Delhi FC managed to hold NEROCA FC to a 1-1 draw in the Hero I-League match on Thursday. While NEROCA opened the scoring with Sergio Mendigutxia (45+2’) converting a penalty at the stroke of half time, Paul converted a penalty of his own just a few minutes later to bring his team to a level pegging. Both the teams struggled with their finishing on open play and the cagey affair ended in a tie. The high-intensity clash started with a big blow to NEROCA as playmaker Juan Mera suffered an injury in the second minute and was taken off immediately, with Thokchom James Singh replacing him. With a minute left on the clock in the first half, Nishal Chandan tripped a NEROCA player while defending a corner, and the referee signalled for a penalty straight away. Mendigutxia converted from the spot, giving his team a 1-0 lead just at the stroke of half-time. Two minutes later, Lallenang Sitlhou tripped Akbar Khan inside the box and the referee once again signalled for a penalty, this time on the other end. Shubho Paul converted from the spot calmly to bring his team back on level pegging. Indian Arrows suffer narrow defeat against Sreenidi Deccan In Kalyani, Sreenidi Deccan continued their charge towards the top of the table with a slender 2-1 victory over the Indian Arrows in Kalyani on Thursday. One goal either side of half time from Vanlalbiaa Chhangte and David Munoz sealed all three points for Sreenidi Deccan, who saw off a worthy challenge from the Indian Arrows. The Arrows registered a goal courtesy a delicate finish from Velanco Rodrigues right before half time. Sreenidi Deccan entered into the contest with the wind in their sails, thanks to back-to-back wins in their two previous matches. However, Indian Arrows head coach Shanmugam Venkatesh too was in good spirits before kickoff, insisting that his wards were intent on playing quality football in order to secure points from this encounter.