Jamshedpur FC won their third game on the trot in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 as they eked out a 1 – 0 win over NorthaEast United FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Saturday. Wellington Priori’s acrobatic goal in the second half proved to be the winner and boosts Jamshedpur’s playoff chances heading into the business end of the season.

The match started with free-flowing attacking football from both sides and it was Highlanders’ player Marcinho who fashioned a chance in the second minute when he took a touch outside the box and had a crack with his left foot. Jamshedpur custodian Subrata Paul was alert though, and he collected the ball on the bounce.

As the game went on, NorthEast started surging forward and creating chances. The 37th minute saw Seiminlen Doungel fire a powerful shot on target from the edge of the box, but Paul managed to make a fingertip save. A couple of minutes later, Lalrindika Ralte put his laces behind a shot from outside the box and this time Paul had to dive low and make the save before Tiri headed away the rebound.

Just four minutes before halftime, and Marcinho was at it again as he tried to curl in an effort from the left. The attempt went through the legs of Tiri, but Paul sprawled to palm the ball away from danger. It proved to be the last chance of the half, as the teams went into the break locked at 0 – 0.

The hosts took the lead just six minutes after the restart in spectacular fashion. Izu Azuka launched a throw from the sidelines which found Priori. The former NorthEast man took a touch with his knee and hit a bicycle kick that looped into the net over a hapless TP Rehenesh.

Eight minutes after the hour mark, Marcinho received a cross that was swung in from the right, but under pressure from his marker, his header was off target. A minute later, following a melee from Ralte’s corner, Sambinha swung his boot at the ball while on the turn, but the shot was deflected off target.

Ten minutes from time, the Highlanders missed a glorious opportunity. Ralte took another corner and Jose Goncalves’ cushioned header found Nirmal Chettri. The Indian defender’s free header in front of an empty net surprisingly sailed over the target though.

The last minute of injury time saw Jerry Mawihmingthanga pick out Farukh Choudhary with a lovely through ball. The latter’s powerful shot, however, was met with a stunning point-blank save from Rehenesh. That proved to be the last chance of significance as the league debutants climbed to third spot on the table.

MATCH AWARDS

 Club Award: Jamshedpur FC

Swift Moment of the Match: Wellington Priori

DHL Winning Pass of the Match: IzuAzuka

Amul Fittest Player: Tiri

Emerging Player: Seiminlen Doungel

Hero of the Match: Wellington Priori

Watch the match highlights here: