Manipuri side NEROCA FC played out a goalless draw against Minerva Punjab in an I-League 2018-19 clash on Sunday at the Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal. Manuel Fraile Retamero decided to field an unchanged NEROCA lineup from their 2-1 win over Churchill Brothers in their last match. NEROCA paid the price for Felix Chidi's missed penalty in the 76th minute as they dropped crucial points at home.
In the second game of the day, Mohun Bagan registered a comfortable 2-0 victory over Shillong Lajong at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday, to move into fifth place in the I-League standings. Bagan gained the lead thanks to Japanese midfielder Yuta Kinowaki's brilliant strike just after the interval. The Mariners outplayed the visitors creating opportunities and testing Lajong's defence time and again. Henry Kisekka doubled his side's lead at the hour mark which was enough for the Kolkata Giants to gain all three points.
As it stands now, NEROCA and Mohun Bagan are tied in points in the fourth and fifth spot respectively, with the former edging ahead on goal difference. Minerva Punjab meanwhile remain at 7th spot tied win points with Gokulam Kerala at sixth. Shillong Lajong are yet to see the light of the day having hit the rock bottom.
