Why NEROCA FC are far from a one-season wonder

The Orange Army have looked a different side ever since they piped Shillong Lajong earlier this month.

All wasn’t well for NEROCA FC when life started under new head coach Manuel Retamero Fraile. The Orange Army bgan the I-League season shakily, falling to a disappointing 0-2 loss at home against a new-look East Bengal side. They barely created anything in the game and it seemed the NEROCA of old had withered away with the departure of long-time tactician Gift Raikhan.

Katsumi Yusa also got injured during a scuffle with some Red and Gold players, meaning the creative spark would be missing for a short period. A couple of drab draws against Gokulam Kerala and Aizawl FC didn’t do anything to boost the fans' confidence. Many were doubting Fraile’s ability, triggering the Spanish gaffer to shake things up a little.

It's half time at Khuman lampak!!NFC 1 - 1 CBFCGoal scorer - Katsumi pic.twitter.com/K7eLcSpH5K

— Neroca FC (@NerocaFC) December 15, 2018

NEROCA took the fight to Churchill from the getgo

The Orange Brigade weathered an icy storm in the Valley of Kashmir, defeating upstarts Real Kashmir in their own backyard. Their star striker, Felix Chidi scored a brace, but it was Fraile’s intelligent changes that did the trick. He put midfielder Aryn Williams in defence, a strategy used by Raikhan multiple times last season and packed his midfield, preventing Kashmir from moving the ball briskly, something which frustrated them.

Chidi, a predator in the box, pounced on a couple of mistakes to give them an unassailable lead. NEROCA then fell to league leaders Chennai City in what was a tight encounter in which Chennai’s impressive foreign brigade downed them. However, the inspired win against Kashmir gave them the self-belief needed to kick-start their charge up the table.

The Orange Army have looked a different side ever since they piped Shillong Lajong earlier this month. The return of new defender Eduardo Ferreira and last season's regulars Lalit Thapa and Saran Singh gave them more stability. Subash Singh, who has found new life in Fraile’s attacking system, was the hero that day with a late-minute winner. The hard-fought win gave NEROCA all the confidence in the world, heading into a flurry of important games at the Khuman Lapak Main Stadium.

Upon arriving in home territory, they looked a completely different beast against Indian Arrows. Yusa returned to the starting lineup and turned up the music for the fans. He scored his first goal in a sloppy manner, but urged the 30, 000-strong crowd to turn up the volume in his celebrations.

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They floored Arrows 3-0, with Chidi and Malemnganba Meitei, their breakthrough star this season, providing two more goals. However, after the Arrows result, NEROCA knew they face much tougher opposition against a resurgent Churchill Brothers side who had floored Mohun Bagan 3-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium recently. The Red Machines stood like brick walls in front of them, but the energy of the fans and a newfound fearless demeanor pushed Fraile’s side to the unthinkable.

NEROCA took the fight to Churchill from the getgo, pressing high and producing an attack in the first few seconds. A floated ball was played in by Williams to find Yusa, who scored the fastest goal in I-League history to send the stadium into raptures. Churchill battled back vigorously with their tough-as-nails mentality, but NEROCA snatched a late winner through Yusa.

Happy birthday to our gaffer !! Many happy returns of the day and wishing u lots of happiness !! pic.twitter.com/BRcfCqkToa

— Neroca FC (@NerocaFC) December 1, 2018

NEROCA have a gaffer who believes in enjoying the game

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For The Orange Army, the flair of new signings mixed with the reliability of the old guard is working wonders. What was looking like a bleak season in their first few matches has turned into bright sunshine smiling over the Khuman Lapak. However, the tests aren’t over for NEROCA yet. Games are coming thick and fast at home, with the stubborn Minerva Punjab, Bagan and Lajong their next guests. Winning all three could catapult them into serious title contention.

But, the model at the club isn’t necessarily aiming for a title. They just want to enjoy themselves. If they keep on playing to please their loyal supporters in the stands, further recognition and accolades will ultimately follow for Manuel Fraile's Orange Army.