Kolkata: A hotbed of Indian football, Manipur contributed as many as eight players to the U-17 national team in the World Cup, yet for a state that has for long produced numerous stars for the country have never succeeded in fielding a team in the I-League, the top most division football league of India.
Things however changed this year when Neroca FC, established in 1965 but operated since the last three years entered the competition, courtesy of winning the second divison I-League and on Friday, history will be created when the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal will host is first ever I-League match. A fortress for the home team all throughout the second divison games, coach Gift Raikhan would hope that fans will turn out in numbers to support once again.
Their unbeaten run of 14 games came to an end when they lost to Minerva 2-1 in their I-League debut, but bounced back with a 3-0 win over Gokulam FC in their next encounter. Nigerian forward Felix Odili Chidi, top scorer in the second divison league last season with nine goals, has already found the net twice this campaign.
Raikhan is however not bothered about it’s home debut nor about it’s unbeaten run coming to an end. “At the end of the day, we need to play good football and on Friday, our main goal will be to make our supporters proud,” said Raikhan as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
Chennai City FC on the other hand are winless depite having played three matches. Beginning their campaign with a 0-3 loss against Indian Arrows, they seemed to have found some momentum holding Gokulam to 1-1 draw. But they faltered against Minerva losing 1-2 away from home.
Coach Soundarajan is however optimistic of his boys putting up a good performance against the debutants. French striker Jean Micheal Joachim who has found the net twice in the past two matches will aim to carry the same form while captain Michael Soosairaj most impressive outfield player for the Coimbatore based outfit will lead form the front.