Kochi, April 18: Jamshedpur FC suffered a 2-0 defeat against Kerala Blasters FC, with two first-half goals putting the Men of Steel on the back foot in a crucial away fixture.

The hosts made a strong start and took the lead in the 12th minute through Nihal, handing Jamshedpur an early setback. The Men of Steel looked to respond quickly, and came close in the 25th minute when Mohammed Sanan found himself in a promising position, but his effort sailed over the bar, a chance that could have brought them back into the contest.

Kerala Blasters capitalised on that miss and doubled their advantage in the 36th minute, with Vibin finding the net to give the home side a commanding lead heading into the break.

In search of a response, Jamshedpur FC made changes at half-time, with Ritwik Das and Rei coming on to inject fresh energy. The impact was immediate, as Ritwik tested the Kerala goalkeeper within minutes of the restart, signalling a more aggressive approach from the visitors.

Head coach’s adjustments continued in the second half, as Madih Talal and Sarthak Golui were introduced to add creativity and attacking intent. Jamshedpur began to build momentum, and came close again in the 60th minute when Ritwik rose to meet a precise delivery from Madih Talal, only to see his header kept out by a sharp save.

Despite growing pressure, Jamshedpur FC were unable to find a breakthrough, with Kerala Blasters remaining compact and disciplined at the back. The game took another turn in the 85th minute when Stephen Eze was shown a red card, reducing the visitors to ten men and effectively ending hopes of a late comeback.

The result sees Jamshedpur FC drop valuable points in the title race, with the early goals proving decisive on the night. While the Men of Steel showed intent in the second half, missed chances and the first-half deficit ultimately cost them in Kochi.

Jamshedpur face Chennaiyin FC in their next match at the Furnace on April 25 at 7.30 PM.