COIMBATORE (India): Neroca FC came back strongly from a two-goal deficit to hold defending champions Chennai City 2-2 in the I-League on Saturday.
Chennai remained seventh on the table with five points while Neroca FC stayed one place below with four points.
The hosts started on a positive note with dominating possession. They started with an unchanged line-up from the match against Aizawl FC as the trio of Fito, Pedro Manzi and Sandro were unavailable for the match.
Katsumi Yusa breaks deadlock
Neroca defence was breached when Katsumi Yusa, who was fouled by a Neroca defender inside the box, put his side into the lead from the spot in the 26th minute.
Six minutes later, an inch-perfect cross into the box by Jockson Dhas found Mashoor Shereef, who headed home.
But the visitors fought back before half-time as both coaches made some changes.
Neroca brought on Gaty Kouami for compatriot Yawo Zico. Chennai coach Akbar Nawas replaced Ranjeet Singh with Bijay Chhetri.
With Chennai City FC poised to go into the second half with a two-goal lead, Neroca FC struck in 45+3’ min as a header from U-22 midfielder Khaiminthang Lhungdim got one back for Neroca.
The score at half-time stood at 2-1 in favour of Chennai City.
Even after playing a more pressing game, Neroca wasn’t able to break the defence. But a careless mistake by Chennai defence led to a foul inside the box on Boubacar Diarra.
Diarra stepped up and scored from the spot to level 2-2 with the clock ticking 65 minutes.
In the 82nd minute, Chennai launched a counter-attack and a perfect cross from the right-wing for Chennai ended at the feet of Katsumi but he couldn’t control the ball and the chance went begging.
