After going down against TRAU FC in their opening fixture of the season, the Jamshedpur FC Reserves suffered yet another defeat, this time at the hands of Chhinga Veng FC. However, the final score line could have ended up differently had captain Billu Teli converted from the spot but at the end, it was Lalliansanga's goal for Chhinga Veng FC in the 35th minute that proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Head coach, Kundan Chandra and the management made a total number of four changes for the side’s second outing in the I- League Second Division. The likes of Raisen Hansda, Baset Hansdah, Srinjoy Dutta and Subhankar Sana got the chance to showcase their skills while star man Billu Teli led the side for the second time.
Early minutes of play saw the hosts enjoy a positive spell of possession where, the boys circulated the ball swiftly and with intent. However, the visitors wasted no time in making their presence felt on the game, as a cross delivered from the right reached Thasiama but the midfielder skied his effort wide in the 10th minute. This was an early warning sign for the hosts of the threat that their opposition possessed. A good, open game was being witnessed at the Furnace by the spectators.
Later in the half, the young colts from Jamshedpur started dominating possession of the ball with captain, Billu Teli pulling strings from the centre of the park but our Reserves team captain also got his name into the referee's book for a late lunge on an opposition player. This was the midfielder's second booking in as many games.
The domination of possession from the home side could not be turned into an advantage as Chhinga Veng FC’s Lalliansanga got on the end of a counter-attacking move and scored for his side, dealing an effective counter-punch to the hosts. The Jamshedpur FC Reserves needed an immediate reaction after they had conceded and came closest to cancelling the opposition’s lead when in the 40th minute, Raisen's long throw into the box created a scramble which resulted in a spot-kick for the hosts.
However, this opportunity wasn’t converted as the resulting penalty was saved. Billu Teli took the responsibility but failed to convert the chance. The scoreline remained in favour of the opponents at the end of the first half.
With only half an hour remaining in the second-half, head coach Kundan Chandra brought on Samim Hossain, a forward in place of midfielder, Asifullah Khan. With this substitution, the Reserves team upped the ante in search of an equalizer.
Unfortunately for the remainder of the second half, the opposition held on to their slender lead while the reserves suffered their second defeat in as many games. The Reserves now face an away trip to Kolkata on January 23 to face ATK.
