KOLKATA — Ritwik
Das and Nikhil Barla scored a goal each as Jamshedpur FC defeated Mohammedan SC
2-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan
here on Thursday night. The visitors held the upper hand throughout the
proceedings, taking eight shots on target as compared to the two of Mohammedan
SC.
Jamshedpur FC had their foot on the pedal right from the
start of the game. Their offensive actions showed cohesion early on as they
made a breakthrough into the Mohammedan SC half as early as in the second
minute from the flank courtesy of Imran Khan, who made a rather straightforward
pass for Jordan Murray away from the box, and the attacker’s shot was quickly
blocked by the home side before it could trouble the goalkeeper.
The Red Miners did not have to wait for long to land the
ball into the Mohammedan SC net though. In the sixth minute, Imran again found
an opening as his precise eye for Murray meant that he delivered him a
sumptuous cross that the latter headed from the right side of the six-yard box.
The aerial effort was blocked, but Javi Hernandez pounced
upon the second ball to try his luck. That, too, got lost amid a crowded
Mohammedan SC box and it eventually required the finishing touch of Ritwik Das
from very close range to bury the ball into the bottom left corner from his
right foot to round off the move in the visitors’ favour.
Jamshedpur FC kept probing the Mohammedan SC defence and
Murray continued to be at the centre of it all. One such move culminated with
Javi Siverio showing exceptional awareness inside the box to lay out a headed
pass in Murray’s path, which the attacker shot from the middle of the box, but
couldn’t keep the ball on target in the 25th minute.
Khalid Jamil’s men began the second half on a high with
similar beaming intent, as Javi Hernandez and Javi Siverio joined hands to
bring about a quick move in the 46th minute within the Mohammedan SC penalty
area. Hernandez’s ball to Siverio on the right side of the box was accurate,
but pressure from the home team’s defence ensured that the ball strayed away
from the post on the right side.
Siverio brought his aerial prowess to the fore when he was
at the receiving end of a lateral delivery from Murray in the 52nd minute. The
former showed athleticism and precision to head the ball towards the top right
corner but an alert Padam Chettri saved the blushes for Mohammedan SC.
Jamshedpur FC did not let loose on exerting such attacking
pressure as they unleashed their entire offensive personnel to find the second
strike that could give them a greater cushion. They discovered that in the 82nd
minute Nikhil Barla, whose position on the right side of the box was spotted
and served properly by the industrious Imran. Barla displayed composure in his first
touch and yet powered the ball into the high centre of the net, playing a
crucial role in sealing the three points for the Men of Steel.
Mohammedan SC will next play against Odisha FC on February
28. Jamshedpur FC will be taking on Kerala Blasters FC on March 1.
