ISL: Jamshedpur FC see off Hyderabad FC to move to second spot

Jamshedpur FC got the better of Hyderabad FC 2-1 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Monday. With the win, the Men of Steel climbed to the second place on the league table. Rei Tachikawa and Jordan Murray scored for the hosts, whereas CY Goddard pulled one back for the visitors.

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Jamshedpur FC Edge Past Hyderabad FC

The match started tactically, with both teams taking time to assess each other. In the ninth minute, Jamshedpur FC launched their first proper attack when Imran Khan sent in a delightful cross into the Hyderabad FC penalty box. However, the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) graduate, Mohammed Sanan, to whom the ball was intended, fell just a yard short.

In the very same minute, Hyderabad FC initiated their first move of the game. Ramhlunchhunga played a through ball to Cy Goddard, whose cross found Lenny Rodrigues after a deflection off Pratik Chaudhari. Rodrigues, however, struck the ball straight into Albino Gomes' hands.

In the 29th minute, the Men of Steel secured their much-desired lead. Sanan crossed the ball from the left, which fell to Imran Khan after a missed header from Alex Saji. His weak shot hit the post, but Tachikawa was there to turn the ball home. Five minutes later, the Japanese midfielder could have added his second of the night, but his fiery shot was successfully punched away by Arshdeep Singh. A minute later, Khalid Jamil’s side got another opportunity, but Sanan’s attempt was inches off target.

In the 41st minute, Hyderabad FC nearly equalized. Goddard provided a delightful pass to Ramhlunchhunga, whose curling effort was tipped out by the outstretched hand of Gomes. Just when Hyderabad FC seemed to be gaining momentum, Jordan Murray extinguished their hopes. In the 44th minute, Sanan delivered a perfectly timed through ball to Murray, who calmly chipped it over the advancing goalkeeper and into the goal.

Thangboi Singto’s side started the second half strongly. In the 50th minute, they pulled one back. Leander D’Cunha launched a long throw into the Jamshedpur FC penalty box, which was headed by Allan de Souza. The Brazilian’s header was left by Chaudhari, expecting his goalkeeper Gomes to collect it. However, before Gomes could react, Ramhlunchhunga got a touch on the ball, and Goddard capitalized on the defensive mix-up to spark hope for the visitors.

Both teams made changes to try and secure their desired outcome from the fixture. However, the subsequent attempts were either off-target or successfully thwarted. In the end, Jamshedpur FC grabbed the crucial three points.

(With inputs from PTI)