Jamshedpur FC

Bhubaneswar, April 23: Jamshedpur FC return to action in the Kalinga Super Cup with a high-stakes Round of 16 clash against Hyderabad FC on April 24 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. After an inspiring ISL campaign that saw the Men of Steel reach the semi-finals against all odds, Khalid Jamil’s side is focused on carrying that momentum into the cup competition.

Jamshedpur FC’s journey in the ISL 2024–25 season was a rollercoaster. The team started strong before experiencing a dip in form midway through the campaign. However, a late resurgence powered standout performances saw Jamshedpur storm into the playoffs. The side stunned North East United FC in the knockout round and pushed eventual champions Mohun Bagan SG to the brink in a dramatic semi-final, ultimately bowing out 3-2 on aggregate.

The team resumed training last week and named a strong 25-member squad for the tournament. The squad features a mix of experience and youthful energy, with Albino Gomes, Stephen Eze, Rei Tachikawa, Javier Hernandez, and Jordan Murray forming the core. Alongside them, the likes of Ritwik Das, Javier Siverio, and Mohammad Sanan provide pace and flair going forward.

Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Khalid Jamil emphasized the importance of staying focused. “This is a knockout game, so we must give our best. The Super Cup is important, not just as a tournament, but as a chance to finish the season on a strong note. The first game, especially the opening 30 minutes, will be crucial. We need to stay sharp, focused, and bring high intensity from the very first whistle.,” he said.

Jamshedpur FC have faced Hyderabad twice in the ISL this season, winning the home fixture 2-1 in Jamshedpur and narrowly losing the away encounter 3-2. With both sides familiar with each other's strengths, the stage is set for an intense, winner-takes-all showdown.

Hyderabad FC, led by coach Shameel Chembakath, arrive with a young and dynamic squad. With the likes of Alex Saji, Stefan Šapić, Cy Goddard, and Edmilson Correia in their ranks, they will pose a tough challenge. However, Jamshedpur FC’s collective spirit, discipline, and resilience give them the edge in this crucial tie.

The match kicks off at 8:00 PM IST on Wednesday at the Kalinga Stadium and will be live on JioHotstar.