Jamshedpur FC

Guwahati, May 14: Jamshedpur FC U17 concluded their sensational campaign in the AIFF U17 Elite Youth League 2024–25 as runners-up, after a 1-4 defeat to a clinical Punjab FC side in the final held at the SAI Ground in Guwahati. Despite the heartbreak in the title clash, this team created history by becoming the first-ever Jamshedpur FC or Tata Football Academy (TFA) side to reach the final of the prestigious national youth league.

The final, however, did not begin on the desired way for the Young Men of Steel. Punjab FC, known for their physical strength and tactical discipline, took control early on. JFC gave too much space in and around the box, and the opponents made them pay. In the 28th minute, Punjab FC opened the scoring straight from a corner, and within the next ten minutes, added three more goals to take an unassailable 4-0 lead into half-time.

But Jamshedpur FC showed more character in the second half. The team regrouped and displayed some attacking football that had brought them this far in the U17 campaign. Lawmsangzuala came agonisingly close to pulling one back in the 57th minute, striking the woodwork from outside the box. Rayan C and Zuala worked tirelessly in midfield, while Mars Ningthoujam and Seram Singh injected energy and purpose into the attack.

Their efforts bore fruit in the 84th minute, when Seram headed in a left-flank cross, scoring a deserved consolation goal for JFC. The boys continued to press and created further chances but could not breach Punjab's deep defensive line again.

Despite the final result, the journey of this Jamshedpur FC U17 squad remains nothing short of extraordinary as they were second in the qualifying group. They topped the playoff round to progress to the Group D, where they finished second and went on to defeat North Easst United in the quarterfinal and thrash AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy, 5- 0 in the semifinal.

This young team is the result of Jamshedpur FC’s long-term vision and youth development programme. Most of these players were scouted through a centralized trial in Jamshedpur post the COVID-19 pandemic, and were recruited as under-15 players three years ago. Though lost in the final, the team had one of the best campaign and can be proud about their inspiring campaign