A second-half blitzkrieg by Jamshedpur FC saw them cruise to a 5-1 victory over table toppers Bengaluru FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Wednesday. In Bengaluru’s defence, the Blues did field a makeshift XI, having rested eight of their first team regulars for the match.

Surprisingly, it was the Blues who scored the first goal of the match only for Jamshedpur to equalise late in the first-half stoppage time. The home team then took the game to Bengaluru in the second-half and scored four to subject the Blues to a humiliating loss.

  • Semboi Haokip handed Bengaluru the lead on the 16th minute
  • Xisco Hernandez had the opportunity to make it 0-2 ten minutes later from the penalty spot, but Subrata Paul kept his spot kick out.
  • Augustin Fernandes equalised for Jamshedpur in the dying seconds of the first-half.
  • Michael Soosairaj made it 2-1 in Jamshedpur’s favour on the 54th minute
  • Pablo Morgado scored on the 56th and 57th minute respectively, and then Carlos Calvo struck with a free-kick on the 61st minute to make the scoreline 5-1.
  • Bengaluru defender Gursimrat Singh was sent off for a double booking on the 68th minute

With their qualification berth and a top placed finish sealed, Bengaluru head coach Carles Cuadrat made a whopping eight changes to his starting XI for the match. Most of the big stars like Miku, Sunil Chhetri, Dimas Delgado were rested for the encounter as a host of youngsters were handed an opportunity to prove their mettle.

Bengaluru's young brigade started the match with a high tempo, but Jamshedpur slowly took control of the match as the half progressed. However, it would be Bengaluru who went on to stun Jamshedpur with the first goal of the match. A lack of communication between Augustin Fernandes and goalkeeper Subrata Paul gave Semboi Haokip a sniff at goal and the 25-year-old made the most out of the opportunity to score his first goal of the season.

The goal injected a lot of confidence into the Bengaluru side and the Blues suddenly took charge and created a flurry of chances. New signing Luis Lopez came close to doubling Bengaluru's advantage but his shot went wide of the post.

On the 25th minute, Bengaluru had a golden opportunity to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty after Tiri brought down Edmund Lalrindika inside the box.

Xisco Hernandez took over the responsibility for the spot kick, but Subrata guessed right to thwart the Spaniard's tame drive.

It seemed like the Blues would go into the half-time break with a one-goal lead, but Jamshedpur struck in the dying minutes of stoppage time. Bengaluru goalkeeper Soram Poirei looked to be in control but his attempt to gather the ball went terribly wrong. Augustin, whose apparent mistake led to the first goal, latched onto the loose ball and turned it into the net to make amends. It was 1-1 after the first 45 minutes.

Nine minutes after the restart, Michael Soosairaj put Jamshedpur in the lead for the first time in the match. The winger latched onto a brilliant pass by Mario Arques and took on his man. Soosai raced into the box, cut inside and curled his shot inside the far post with conviction. The goal immediately opened the floodgates, as Pablo Morgado struck twice inside one minute to make it 4-1.

Just after the hour mark, Carlos Calvo swung in a free-kick past a helpless Poirei to give the Miners a four-goal lead. The barrage of goals jolted the young Bengaluru outfit and mistakes started creeping in. Things only got worse for Bengaluru as defender Gursimrat Singh was given his marching orders soon after for his second booking of the night.

The home team dominated the rest of the match and had a few opportunities to extend their lead even further, but Bengaluru, aided by a bit of luck and some resolute defending, managed to avoid any further humiliation.

HERO OF THE MATCH – Michael Soosairaj

Michael Soosairaj came back to the Jamshedpur starting XI after a long time and showed exactly what he brings to the table. The fleet-footed winger’s pace and direct running terrorised the new-look Bengaluru defence. He also scored the all-important second goal for Jamshedpur, which opened up the floodgates for the Miners. He is the Hero of the Match.

CLUB AWARDS

Club Award – Jamshedpur FC

Swift Limitless Player of the Match – Pablo Morgado

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Carlos Calvo

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Jerry Mawhmingthanga

Hero of the Match – Michael Soosairaj

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Jamshedpur FCBengaluru FC 2018-2019Match Report