Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur, July 24: In front of a roaring, sold-out JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur FC kicked off their Durand Cup campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Tribhuvan Army FT.
Head Coach Khalid Jamil started the match with six new signings, and debutant Sarthak Golui and Manveer Singh were on the scoresheet.

The match began at a frenetic pace. Praful Kumar’s long throw in the 4th minute created confusion inside the box, and Sarthak pounced nudging the ball past the goalkeeper to give Jamshedpur an early lead.

Tribhuvan Army responded in the 26th minute, as their captain George Karki capitalised on a momentary lapse in defence to level the score. But Jamshedpur kept their composure. Six minutes later, Vincy Barretto, another new signing, set up Manvir Singh with a neat layoff. From a tight angle, Manvir fired it in to restore the lead.

Chances kept flowing. Sanan almost made it 3-1 with a free header that landed on the net roof. Just before the break, Jayesh Rane narrowly missed a third, sliding in to meet Sanan’s cross but missing by inches.

The second half started with urgency from both sides. Praful Kumar rose unmarked for a free header off a set-piece in the 57th minute but couldn’t keep it down. The miss proved costly as Tribhuvan Army again found an equaliser in the 63rd minute though a screamer by Ananta Tamang.

The turning point came in the 71st minute. Nikhil Barla, brought on as a substitute, made an immediate impact. With his very first touch, he surged in from the right flank and slotted home, sending the home fans into raptures.

With three points in the bag and a passionate crowd behind them, Jamshedpur FC couldn’t have asked for a better start to their Durand Cup journey. Jamshedpur FC will play Indian Army Football Team in their next match on July 29.

Result: JFC: Sarthak Golui (4), Manvir Singh (31), Nikhil Barla (71’) bt Tribhuvan Army Football Club 2 (George Prince Karki 26, Ananta Tamang 64)