Guwahati, May 8: After an inspiring run through the qualifying and final rounds, Jamshedpur FC U-17 will take on NorthEast United FC in the quarterfinal of the AIFF U-17 Elite Youth League on May 9 at 8:30 AM at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.

The Young Men of Steel have shown consistency throughout the tournament, starting from the qualifying stage, where they finished second in Group K, just one point behind AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy. JFC racked up 24 points from 10 matches, despite playing the latter half of the group stage with a depleted squad due to key players being called up for the Reliance Foundation zonal tournament.

The team was placed in Group D alongside Mumbai City FC and Football 4 Change Academy in the qualifying round and got better of Mumbai City with a 4-0 win, followed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw against F4C, which ultimately proved enough to top the group on goal difference.

In the final round, JFC were drawn into a tough Group D with Classic Football Academy, Corbett FC, and Muthoot Football Academy. A 1-1 draw with Classic FA, a 1-0 win over Corbett FC thanks to a late penalty by Zuala, and a narrow 0-1 defeat to Muthoot FA saw JFC finish second in the group with four points. Their place in the quarterfinals was confirmed due to a superior head-to-head record over Corbett FC, who also had four points.

Now, Jamshedpur FC prepare to face a a strong North East United FC side, who have topped the Group C undefeated. A win on Thursday would see JFC U-17 make it to the semifinal.