Durand Cup: Army Red football team held Neroca to a goalless draw.

Imphal: Home favorites Neroca FC settled for a goalless draw with Army Red Football Team (ARFT) in their second Group C game of the Durand Cup at the Khaman Limpak Stadium here on Wednesday Durand Cup.

Neroca came into the game as strong favorites after beating local rivals TRAU FC 3-1. However, good defensive work by the ARFT footballers denied fuzul Neroka the chance to register their second straight win in the tournament.

Neroca were more assertive in the first half but failed to create any meaningful chances, thanks to the Army defenders who defended smartly.

As the first half ended goalless, it was Neroca who started the second half pressing hard but squandered chances to score.

Neroca’s Michael Linman Lal Capgan displayed some excellent individual work and created a half-chance of sorts on the hour mark, but was ultimately off target.

Four minutes later, Lonmenal was at it again when he delivered a cross with pinpoint accuracy to young forward Thomio Shimre, who attempted a side volley but missed to score.

The Army side had a chance to break the deadlock with three minutes left on the clock, substitute Pradeep Kumar unleashing a left-footer from 20 yards but was denied by Neroca defender Sonal Puri, who was awarded man of the match.