PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Jan 13: Jamshedpur FC puts up a brave show defeating Mumbai City FC 3-0 at the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) in a crucial Indian Super League (ISL) encounter held on Sunday evening.
This victory not only marked the Men of Steel’s second league double over the Islanders, the first being in the 2018-19 season but also propelled them to third place in the points table with 27 points from 14 matches.
With their ninth win of the season, Jamshedpur continues to cement their credentials as top contenders.
After a goalless first half, the breakthrough for Jamshedpur FC came in the 64th minute through Mohammed Sanan’s excellent goal. Imran Khan, industrious throughout, delivered a pinpoint cross which found Sanan, who ran in between Mumbai defenders to score with a deft touch to give the lead for Jamshedpur FC.
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Nine minutes later, Javi Hernandez nearly doubled the advantage from a set-piece, but Stephen Eze’s header went narrowly off target. Head coach Khalid Jamil kept the pressure on, introducing Seiminlen Doungel to sustain Jamshedpur’s offensive momentum.
Jamshedpur capitalised on a counter-attack as Doungel’s precise long ball found Murray. The striker coolly lobbed the advancing goalkeeper TP Rehenesh to extend the lead to 2-0.
In the dying moments of the match, Javi Hernandez added the final flourish. A deflected ball inside the box fell perfectly for the Spaniard, who drilled it into the bottom right corner in the sixth minute of added time, sealing a memorable 3-0 victory for the Men of Steel.
Jamshedpur FC will face ISL table leaders Mohun Bagan SC in their next match at JRD Tata Sports Complex here on January 17.
