Match Details: Jamshedpur FC vs NorthEast United FC
The Furnace
Starting XIs:
Jamshedpur FC: Subrata Paul (GK), Andre Bikey, Tiri (C), Yumnam Raju, Wellington Priori, Bikash Jairu, Memo, Souvik Chakrabarti, Izu Azuka, Ashim Biswas, Jerry Mawihmingthanga.
NorthEast United FC: TP Rehenesh (GK), Sambinha, Nirmal Chettri, Jose Goncalves (C), Robert Lalthlamuana, Martin Diaz, Maic Sema, Seiminlen Doungel Rowllin Borges, Lalrindika Ralte, Marcinho.
Jamshedpur FC registered their third consecutive victory to move up to third place in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 table as they beat NorthEast United FC 1-0 at The Furnace on February 10.
The first half was cagey as both teams tried really hard to break the deadlock. But the score-line at the end of the first 45 minutes remained 0 – 0. However, The Highlanders created most of the chances in the first half but none of their forwards could go past the mighty Subrata Paul, who now has seven clean sheets in this edition of the ISL.
Steve Coppell came up with a tactical substitution at the start of the second half. He took off Ashim Biswas and brought on Mehtab Hossain to get a grip on the game. He pushed Wellington Priori to play the role of the striker and Izu Azuka was right behind him.
This move paid off as Priori came up with undoubtedly the best strike of the season in the 51st minute of the game. Azuka’s long throw found the Brazilian inside the box and he managed to control the ball and finished with an acrobatic flourish.
NorthEast United FC tried hard to get back in the game, but our defenders were at their toes and kept the Highlanders’ forwards at bay.
Jamshedpur FC got plenty of chances as well towards the end of the second half but Rehenesh TP did well to deny our forwards.
Steve Coppell was a happy man at the end of the game as he praised the lads for a special performance against the Highlanders.
“Just grateful to have won this game. Credit goes to NorthEast United FC for making things difficult for us. Our defenders did extremely well as they hung in there. A special goal got us the results,” Coppell said after the game.
“Wellington is a big lad. He did extremely well to spot that high throw from Azuka and followed it up with a special finish.”
Jamshedpur FC have now won five out of their last six matches. Coppell’s Men in Red have now collected 15 out of the possible 18 points in the last six games. And all of these happened ever since the arrival of none other than the ‘Hero of the Match’ against NorthEast United FC – Wellington Priori.
Up next we have three huge games coming our way as we take on Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC and FC Goa in the remaining three league matches.
