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Ritwik Das and Nikhil Barla scored to help Jamshedpur FC beat Mohammedan SC 2-0 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League.
Jamshedpur FC beat Mohammedan SC 2-0. (Image: X)
Jamshedpur FC beat Mohammedan SC 2-0 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday.
Ritwik Das and Nikhil Barla scored as Khalid Jamil came out the victor in his all-Indian clash with Mehrajuddin Wadoo.
It was Jamshedpur on the front foot from the word go. In the second minute itself, Javi Siverio’s header almost gave them the lead but his effort was just a bit too high following a corner.
It did not take long for Jamshedpur to take the lead as Ritwik Das somehow managed to get the ball over the line in the sixth minute.
Captain Zodingliana, who returned to the starting XI, was caught by surprise when Javi Hernandez found Imran Khan on the right. The Jamshedpur man cut onto his stronger left foot and curled in a cross for Jordan Murray, who turn managed to cushion the ball back to Javi at the back post. The Spaniard’s snapshot was somehow kept out by Joe Zoherliana and Florent Ogier but local boy Ritwik reacted quickly to turn the ball into the back of the net.
In the 15th minute, Zoherliana’s mistake when trying to chest down a ball could have cost Mohammedan dearly as Padam Chhetri saved his teammate the blushes, albeit at great expense to his safety.
By the half-hour mark, Jamshedpur’s plan for the night became more evident. Switch the play to their pace wingers, who were inevitably taken down by defenders and look to capitalise on their distinct height advantage. In fact, Stephen Eze spent more time lining up for free-kicks on the opposition half than looking to defend his own.
The water break was a welcome break from the constant pressure.
On resumption, Mohammedan looked much more eager to go on the front foot. Carlos Franca and Robi Hansda tried their best with the limited possession their team had but poor passes in the final third coupled with poor judgement meant Albino Gomes defending the Jamshedpur goal had very little to do.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Jamshedpur had the ball for the entire period of added time but Mohammedan somehow managed to limit the damage to just goal at the break.
Just after the restart, Mohammedan had a golden chance to level the score as Frnaca found himself in behind the defence. He dropped the shoulder to angle in-field but his snap shot was deflected just over the crossbar.
Jamshedpur came even closer.
Javi had a shot clawed out keeper Padam as it curled into the top corner with Murray’s header rattled the crossbar but did not go in.
As the chances went begging, the game soon descended into a comedy of errors as either team failed to get control of the ball. Changes are called on from the bench.
Manvir Singh and Makan Chothe replaced Lalrinfela Khiangte and Lalremsanga Fanai for Mohammedan as Jamshedpur’s Lazar Cirkovic, Mohammed Sanan and Nikhil Barla made way for Javi, Ritwik and Shubham Sarangi.
Nothing changed.
Then Marc Schmerbock replaced Robi Hansda as Rei Tachikawa came in for Jordan Murray.
The goal finally came in the 82nd as Jamshedpur doubled their lead. Right-back Nikhil Barla ventured forward and after a brilliant one-two with Imran Khan, dinked the on-rushing Padam to seal the game.
With that, Mohammedan have but one game left to register their first win at home in the season.
