Shillong, February 24: A dramatic stoppage-time winner from Bivan Jyoti Laskar secured Jamshedpur FC Reserves a thrilling 2-1 victory over Aizawl FC in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Zonal Round at Wahiajer Stadium, confirming their place in the National Leg of the tournament for the first time in the club’s history.
With this crucial win, Jamshedpur FC moved to third place in the standings with 13 points, overtaking Aizawl FC, who finished their campaign with 12 points from 10 matches. Three teams from the NorthEast Zonal Round—NorthEast United FC, Classic FA, and Jamshedpur FC—will now progress to the National Leg, scheduled to be held in Mumbai from March 23 onwards.
Knowing that only a win would secure qualification, Jamshedpur FC started the game on the front foot, creating at least five clear chances in the opening 10 minutes. Bivan came close to scoring before the clock struck a minute as Remson found him unmarked, but his shot struck the post. Remson himself had an opportunity moments later, receiving a pass from Bivan on the left flank, but his shot was miraculously cleared off the line by an Aizawl defender.
Jamshedpur continued to pile on the pressure, with Lawmsangzuala getting a golden chance one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only to direct his shot straight at him. Midfielder Moirangthem Marjit also tried his luck from distance, but his effort sailed wide. Jamshedpur dominated possession and won seven corners in the first 30 minutes, but despite their relentless attacking intent, the teams went into halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
Against the run of play, Aizawl FC took the lead early in the second half. They won a free-kick on the left side of the penalty area and capitalized with a direct strike into the net, leaving Jamshedpur FC momentarily stunned. However, the team responded with urgency, increasing their attacking intensity in search of an equalizer.
The breakthrough finally came through Remson, who leveled the score with a well-placed finish, assisted by Rohan. With the match entering its final minutes, both teams pushed forward aggressively in search of a decisive goal. Jamshedpur FC pressed high, with Zuala and Bivan orchestrating several dangerous moves.
As the match neared its conclusion, Jamshedpur FC found their moment of glory deep into stoppage time. Remson played a crucial role once again, delivering a precise pass to Sital on the right side of the box. Sital spotted Bivan in the D, unmarked, and laid off a perfect ball. With composure, Bivan struck a powerful shot into the top left corner, sealing the victory and securing Jamshedpur FC’s place in the National Leg.
A Historic Achievement for Jamshedpur FC Reserves
This is the first time Jamshedpur FC has qualified for the RFDL National Leg, marking a significant milestone for the club’s youth development program. With one more match remaining against Shillong Lajong FC, Lawmsangzuala and Bivan Jyoti Laskar stand as the team’s top scorers, each netting six goals in the tournament.
Head coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla praised his players for their determination and resilience, saying, “This victory is a testament to the hard work and fighting spirit of our young squad. The boys showed immense character, especially after going a goal down, and kept believing until the final whistle. Qualifying for the National Leg is a huge achievement, and we are excited to compete at the highest level in Mumbai.”
Unlike most teams in the RFDL, which feature Under-21 players with two permitted Under-23 spots, Jamshedpur FC has fielded a significantly younger squad. Of the 26 players registered, 15 are Under-17, and nine are Under-19. The only two U-23 players—Kartik Choudhary and Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu—were also part of the senior men's team. While Kartik was available only for the Aizawl match, Lalhriatpuia missed out due to training commitments with the first team.
Jamshedpur FC Reserves will now look to end their Zonal Round campaign on a high when they face Shillong Lajong FC in their final fixture on February 27th before turning their focus to the National Leg in Mumbai.
