ISL: Jamshedpur’s Aniket Jadhav celebrates soon after scoring against NorthEast United.© Twitter
NorthEast United FC slumped to their initial defeat in their Indian Super League (ISL) season 7 campaign as they went down -1 to Jamshedpur FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, on Friday. Aniket Jadhav’s strike (53′) was the distinction in between the two sides in what was the 500th game of the ISL. TP Rehenesh also pulled off a terrific penalty save in the second half to preserve Jamshedpur’s unbeaten streak against NorthEast intact. Kwesi Appiah and Rochharzela have been amongst the two alterations created by NorthEast even though Jamshedpur created 3 alterations to their line-up. Both sides have been unable to break the deadlock in the initial half as they managed to cancel out every other’s threat. As a outcome, no shots on target have been registered.
NorthEast almost had the possibility to go ahead in the 18th minute when Idrissa Sylla and Appiah combined properly at the edge of the box. However, the Ghanaian striker placed his work wide. Jamshedpur, as well, had their possibility to grab the lead and it arrived just ahead of the break. Alexander Lima discovered Stephen Eze in the box with a lengthy ball but the towering defender failed to get his header on target.
NorthEast began the second half with terrific intensity in pursuit of the opening target. But a rapid counter-attack from Jamshedpur saw them concede initial. Isaac Vanmalsanwma and Jackichand Singh linked up properly in the opposition box. The latter then swung in a cross for an unmarked Jadhav, who discovered the back of the net with ease.
But in spite of conceding initial, the Highlanders as well had their possibility to make amends quickly soon after the hour mark via a penalty. The referee pointed to the spot when Eze brought down Benjamin Lambot in the box. Sylla stepped up to take the spot-kick but Rehenesh dived the appropriate way and created a fine save to assure his side remained in the driver’s seat.
The Red Miners nearly doubled their benefit in the 79th minute but have been unlucky. Jackichand received the ball on the appropriate and whipped in a cross that was intended to locate Nerijus Valskis but only managed to rattle the woodwork.
Jamshedpur defended with resilience in the dying minutes to assure they bagged their second win of the season.