Have proved we belong in top division: Neroca FC coach
Team Udayavani, Mar 2, 2018, 12:57 PM IST
New Delhi: Neroca FC coach Gift Raikhan says his team has proved that it belonged to the top division with a string of impressive results that has put them in title contention in the I-League.
“As a new team in the league, we took it as a challenge to put up our best front. I think we have justified our promotion to the I-League. We have proven we belong here,” Raikhan said.
With nine wins and four draws from their 17 matches so far, Neroca have had a fairly consistent run this season. They are currently second on the league table with 31 points, just one behind leaders Minerva Punjab FC.
They face a must-win game against current third place holders East Bengal in the last match of their campaign on March 8.
Even a victory against East Bengal, though, will not be enough to give them the title if Minerva win their remaining two matches.
“What we did in the 2nd division is in the past. The I-League is a different ball game. You have to live in the present and take each day as it comes,” Raikhan said.
“Yes it is the top tier but you can’t let yourselves be bogged down by the occasion. Then you are doomed from the start,” he added.
Raikhan also credited Neroca’s success to the club management’s policy of retaining and nurturing almost the same set of players.
“Apart from a few signings, most of the squad stay the same. So the understanding, continuity and the consistency has paid off for us,” he said.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Last 3 days I was in bed, I was on painkillers: Parag
RCB batting coach McKenzie backs Maxwell to come out of lean run
Sometimes I wonder if IPL is even cricket: Ashwin
IPL 17’s opening day registers record-breaking viewership: Broadcaster
Perplexed by Bumrah getting just one over till 13th over: Smith
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
PM cautions ‘significant risk of misuse’ of AI and other powerful tech in unskilled, untrained hands
Lok Sabha polls 2024: District poll panels fix varied menu, ceiling for poll expenditure
Union minister Hardeep Puri compares Sunita Kejriwal to Rabri Devi
For ‘Bhoomi Putra’ Kharge, prestigious LS poll battle in Karnataka
Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case