Jamshedpur FC kept their semi-final hopes alive in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 after a slender 1-0 win over Chennaiyin FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Wednesday. The only goal of the game came in the final minute of regulation time after a David Grande shot took a wicked deflection off Enes Sipovic and found the back of the net.

• Chennaiyin looked like the more threatening team in the first half but didn't score.
• Jamshedpur looked brighter in the second period and were rewarded with a goal late in the game.

Chennaiyin registered the first shot of the game on target in the 4th minute after Lallianzuala Chhangte cut in from the left and tested the goalkeeper with a right-footed attempt from the edge of the box. The Marina Machans saw more of the ball and created a good opportunity on the half hour mark when Rahim Ali ran on to a Chhangte cross from the left before seeing his shot from inside the box blocked.

Jamshedpur’s first attempt on goal came six minutes later after Chennaiyin conceded possession in their own half and allowed Grande to get a shot away that was wide of the target. The two-time champions ended the half on the front foot but couldn’t find the breakthrough.

The first chance of the second half went Jamshedpur FC’s way in the 53rd minute when a set-piece into the box was headed towards Grande, who failed to keep his shot on target. Jamshedpur, in fact, showed more ambition in the second half and looked threatening while attacking, especially from set-pieces.

Chennaiyin, on the other hand, struggled to create chances and test the goalkeeper like they had in the first half. Jamshedpur looked likelier of the two sides when it came to scoring and Stephen Eze came close to getting his side a goal in the 84th minute but his header off an Aitor Monroy freekick went fractions wide of goal.

The Marina Machans also had a big opportunity to score in the 89th minute when Thoi Singh was put in on goal and looked destined to give his team the lead before opting to square the ball instead of shooting as the chance went abegging. Substitute Edwin Vanspaul tried his luck from range moments later, but the goalkeeper made the save.

The southerners were then made to pay for their misses a minute later by Jamshedpur as Grande received the ball inside the box and cut inside to get a shot away which took a wicked deflection off Sipovic before rippling the back of the net. The Marina Machans tried to muster a late response but Jamshedpur saw off any danger successfully to pick up the win.

Hero of the Match – Stephen Eze

Stephen Eze put in another top performance at the back for Jamshedpur and played a major role in ensuring that his team kept a clean sheet. He nearly scored a few minutes prior to Jamshedpur’s winner and completed one block, two successful tackles, two successful interceptions and nine clearances.

Other Match Awards:

Club Award – Jamshedpur FC

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Farukh Choudhary (Jamshedpur FC)

Watch the Match Highlights here: