By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay
I-League Media

IMPHAL: Second Division League embarks its journey this season amid huge cheer and merriment. Neroca FC, the Manipur powerhouse, were all set to welcome the young troop of Fateh Hyderabad AFC at Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal. The hommies enjoyed major ball possession, but their cut-throat attacking moves were cancelled out by robust Hyderabad defense line throughout 90 minutes. At the end of the whistle it was all even and both party had to be satisfied with 1 point apiece.

The kick-off was scheduled at 01:30 PM, but the football fanatic crowd started pouring in right since 12:00 PM. Orange jerseys, balloons and flags wrapped up the entire stadium well before the kick-off. Mexican waves, constant cheering from the stands provided Neroca FC immense support to hit the gas since the first minute. They earned a corner right in the first minute which was parried away nicely by Hyderabad goalie.

The hostile reception for Fateh Hyderabad had little impact on them as they continued to cancel out Neroca FC’s sheer attacking moves. Though most of the match was played in Hyderabad half, the defiance shown by them frustrated the home supporters.

After the breather, the onus was on the Hyderabad defenders to maintain their resilience and keep their spirit high. In the other hand, Neroca FC attackers, who have done everything right but opening the goalmouth, were raring to go to stage a hammering ahead of their home fans. Cheering turned into jeering, but the Fateh Hyderabad players shrugged off those words and went on to script a new chapter in their club history. They hardly paid a heed to the hostile reception and garnered a exemplary performance in their opening fixture of Second Division League.

There is no prize for guessing that Neroca FC had the advantage today and they ended up with more than 65% ball possession, but their nervy approach inside the box might be a concern for the gaffer as the tournament proceeds. The all-Indian Fateh Hyderabad AFC team is the youngest club in the Second Division League 2015-16 and undoubtedly the expectation level would soar up after their first outing, kudos to their never-say-die attitude and steel nerve mindset.

Against all odds, the crowd and football were the real winners today at Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal. 12,458 spectators were present in the ground today according to the official count and the management would love to engage more people in the next days. The onus would be on the players to display their football caliber ahead of the home fans. Once they produce result, the fans would surely cheer their heart out to turn Khuman Lampak Stadium into ‘A Fortress’, an intimidating scenario for the away teams but an absolute precedent for other clubs to follow.