Jamshedpur’s first match in the Hero Super Cup 2018 went right down to the wire as a suspenseful shoot-out seemed like the only fitting conclusion in a match where both teams were so equally matched.
The game began on a tepid note, with both teams focusing on maintaining a tight defensive structure that made it difficult for either to score. Sanjiban Ghosh’s performance was a recurring highlight of the game, as his superb saves are sure to give Coach Coppell a selection headache.
Jamshedpur FC got their first close attempt of the game courtesy of a cross sent in from Yumnam Raju on the left flank, which missed its intended target in Kervens Belfort and fell to Bikash Jairu, who blasted a curling shot to the left of the goal and hit the post.
Minerva Punjab FC’s closest chance of the first 45 minutes came courtesy of Girik Khosla, who failed to finish past Sanjiban. The striker collected the ball from an Akashdeep Singh through-ball and tried to finish the chance but was denied by a goalkeeper who had taken control of his territory.
A goalless first half was an indication of the tense 75 minutes to follow.
Minerva Punjab FC began the second half with a dangerous shot from Chencho Gyeltsen, who exchanged a rally of quick passes with Girik Khosla and took a shot that went just wide.
Our next chance of the match once again came through Bikash Jairu. The winger took on a pass from Kervens Belfort in the box and unleashed a shot to the far post that went just wide and was sure to have drawn quite a few gaps.
As 90 minutes drew to a close, neither team had managed to seal a result.
Doubling down on the defensive side of their game, both teams remained stubborn and had no plans to concede the goal that would inevitably pile on the pressure. As 120 minutes of play concluded, it was clear a penalty shoot-out was the only way to find a winner.
However, even the penalty shoot-out went right down to the wire as it took as a 5-4 scoreline to finally decide the winner. True to the tone of the match itself, Sanjiban was the hero of the shoot-out as he kept out Bali Gagandeep’s spot-kick to seal the result in Jamshedpur FC’s favour.
