Jamshedpur FC kicked off their 2024-25 season in the IndianOil Durand Cup with a 3-0 win against Assam Rifles Football Team at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. This match marked a historic moment for Jamshedpur as the city hosted the prestigious Durand Cup for the first time.
The tournament was kicked off amidst a lot of fan fare with an amazing opening ceremony to liven up the atmosphere at the Furnace.
Following the ceremony, the match began with the home side showing high energy and intensity, creating early chances. Within the first minute, Len had an attempt on goal, followed by another effort just five minutes later. Jamshedpur's attacking prowess was evident as they pushed forward, seeking an early lead.
At the 18-minute mark, Sanan delivered a precise cross to Len, and Emil nearly converted it into a goal. Two minutes later, Imran's cross found Sanan, but his shot went wide of the bar. The pressure continued to mount on the Assam Rifles' defense.
Sanan's shot on target at the 22nd minute was deflected by the Assam Rifles goalkeeper, preventing a breakthrough. Imran took a free kick at the 35-minute mark, and Ashutosh's attempt narrowly missed the post. Jamshedpur's persistent attacks kept the visitors on their toes.
As the first half drew to a close, Emil's cross to Len at the 43rd minute resulted in another near miss. Albino, the Jamshedpur goalkeeper, made a crucial clearance at the edge of the box to deny Assam Rifles any scoring opportunity. In additional time, Sanan finally broke the deadlock, scoring from Imran’s corner in the 45+2 minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The second half saw Jamshedpur continue their dominance. Nikhil Barla was substituted by Aniket Jadhav at halftime, adding fresh legs to the attack. Pratik made essential saves to thwart any advances by Assam Rifles.
In the 49th minute, Aniket's cross was just missed by Len. Two minutes later, Imran's cross to Aniket saw the latter hit the bar. Emil was then substituted by Sourav Das, bringing new energy to the midfield. Aniket's direct shot in the 60th minute was saved by the Assam Rifles goalkeeper, and Sanan's cross to Len in the next minute resulted in another close miss.
Jamshedpur's persistence paid off again at the 68-minute mark when Imran's cross to Sanan led to a second goal. The home team continued to press, and in the 86th minute, Imran scored following a deflection from an Ashutosh cross, sealing the victory.
Jamshedpur FC's debut in the IndianOil Durand Cup at home ended with a resounding 3-0 win over Assam Rifles FC. Sanan and Imran's contributions were pivotal, with Imran earning the Man of the Match for his assists and a goal. The victory sets a positive tone for Jamshedpur's campaign as they look forward to their next challenge in the tournament.
Jamshedpur next face ISL rivals Chennaiyin FC in the IndianOil Durand Cup on August 4th at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. Tickets for the tournament are available on BookMyShow.
