21 December, Imphal: Substitute Ramhlunchhunga scored early on in the second half to give Sreenidi Deccan FC a 1-0 victory over NEROCA FC in a Matchday 9 Hero I-League clash at the Khuman Lampak stadium here on Wednesday. The win keeps the Deccan Warriors at the top of the Hero I-League standings going into the winter break.

The first half was an evenly contested affair as both sides fought for the ball in midfield and kept their defences intact. Sreenidi Deccan FC captain David Castaneda Munoz came closest to opening the scoring but his effort hit the crossbar and he could not add to his tally of 9 goals.

Winger Songpu Singsit picked up an injury after a collision with a NEROCA FC player and was replaced by Ramhlunchhunga.

Sreenidi Deccan FC got off to a flying start in the second half as Ramhlunchhunga hit the crossbar with a lobbed effort in the opening minute. Rosenberg Gabriel picked up the ball on the other wing and crossed it in for Ramhlunchhunga to head it in at the back post and give his side the lead.