Jamshedpur FC’s terrible start to the season continued as they were handed their third defeat of the ninth edition of Indian Super League (ISL) by Hyderabad FC at JRD Tata Complex in Jamshedpur on Wednesday.
Having won just four points in their first four matches, Jamshedpur were more than eager to grab some points in front of their home fans, but it was Mohammad Yasir who scored the lone goal of the match in the 48th minute to help the visitors earn a 1-0 win.
The victory helped Hyderabad to extend their lead atop the table and for now they are the runaway leaders with 16 points from six matches. Jamshedpur, meanwhile, stay at the ninth spot with four points.
Hyderabad failed to get things going in the first half but after the water break, they got off to a blistering start and almost immediately took the lead to silence the 20000-strong crowd.
Halicharan Narzary made a lovely run down the left after being fed by Bartholomew Ogbeche and drilled it into the centre looking for Ogbeche. However, JFC captain Peter Hartley blocked it but to his dismay it went straight to Yasir, who took the shot from the edge of the box and into the bottom right corner of the net.
Jamshedpur goalkeeper TP Rehenesh made a full-length dive but failed to get his hands to it as the ball hit the inside of the post before going in.
After that, Hyderabad kept pressing hard to double their lead but couldn’t convert the chances. As for Jamshedpur, they also had fair share of chances but failed to find the equalizer.
Despite the loss, Jamshedpur coach Aidy Boothroyd should be pleased with the team’s performance on the day. Boris Singh was brilliant making darting runs down the left that kept the Hyderabad defenders on their toes.
Boothroyd, however, will be disappointed with Daniel Chima Chukwu as failed to score from a point-blank range in the 20th minute.
After Jay Emmanuel Thomas’ throw in, a Hyderabad defender tried to head it away, but it went straight to Harry Sawyer, standing near the touchline on the right, who did well to head the ball back towards Chukwu.
With no one around, Chukwu, brilliantly positioned in front of the goal, had only the goalkeeper to beat but sadly he headed the ball straight to Laxmikant Kattimani.
With three defeats in five matches, Jamshedpur have a mountain to climb now. Hyderabad, meanwhile, will look to carry the momentum when they face Kerala Blasters at home.
Earlier, Boris had the first shot on goal in the second minute itself when he aimed it towards the left-bottom corner of the goal, but the Hyderabad goalkeeper did well to keep it out with a full-stretched dive. He also created a good chance in the 74th minute but Peter Hartley’s shot didn’t trouble the Hyderabad goalkeeper.
