Spanish stars Roberto Eslava and Nestor Gordillo scored a goal each as table-topper Chennai City FC got the better of Neroca FC 2-1 in the I-League clash at the Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.
The team’s star striker striker Pedro Manzi, as expected, did not
figure in the team sheet but, the CCFC coach Akbar Nawas had said the other day that the team does not believe in individual brilliance and that it works as a cohesive unit.
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They proved that in great measure under the leadership of Roberto. The Spanish skipper led his troops bravely and attacked the rival citadel from the start. And, the men from Manipur succumbed to pressure in the 14th minute.
Sandro Rodriquez was instrumental in CCFC scoring the early goal. The Spaniard raced in from the left and packed in a beauty to the centre. The ball floated dangerously inside the box and, with the defenders all over, Roberto sneaked in to slam the ball home.
The CCFC men did not relax there. They further applied pressure and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions but, this time around, the Neroca defence stood strong.
The visitor worked hard midway through and played a tad rough as well, which led to some minor altercations between the players. But CCFC stood the test well to go into the lemon break with a goal in hand.
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The second session was played in a similar fashion with the home team stars calling the shots and the visiting side pressing the accelerator further in search of the equaliser. But it was CCFC which found the net again and, this time through Nestor in the 52nd minute.
Subash Singh reduced the margin thirteen minutes later but CCFC hung on to clinch the contest in style.
Nestor quite deservedly walked away with the Hero Man of the Match award.
The result helps Chennai City FC consolidate its position on the top of the I-League table with 16 points from six matches, while NEROCA is on the seventh spot with five points from as many games.
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