Jamshedpur FC began their Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 campaign with a 2-1 win over Odisha FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Tuesday. They took the lead after a Farukh Choudhary cross was deflected into his own goal by Rana Gharami. Odisha came back into the contest after Bikash Jairu received a red card and Aridane Santana scored within a span of five minutes before half-time. The hosts, though, rallied and picked up three points after Sergio Castel scored the winner five minutes from full-time.

The hosts enjoyed most of the early possession, but the first big chance of the match went Odisha’s way after Jerry Mawihmingthanga did well to work some space on the right and delivered a perfectly weighed cross at the back post in the 10th minute. His cross was met by Aridane Santana, who headed inches wide of the post.

Mawhmingthanga then created more trouble for the hosts four minutes later when he ran through on goal before striking the woodwork.

However, when the opening goal did come, it was against the run of play in the 17th minute and went Jamshedpur’s way. The home side broke at pace as Odisha players looked to scurry back into position. Despite getting bodies back in their box, the visitors could have done little to prevent the opener, which came off Rana Gharami’s shin as he attempted to clear a dangerous cross by Farukh from the right.

Jamshedpur looked in control after taking the lead, but that changed in the 35th minute when last man Bikash Jairu was given his marching orders for bringing down Mawhmingthanga, who was through on goal again. Odisha scored the equaliser five minutes later when Santana produced an exquisite finish to rifle home a low cross from the right to make it 1-1. The two teams went into the break with nothing to separate them.

The home side introduced Memo from the bench after the restart and his presence seemed to give them more control in midfield. Another one of their substitutes, Sumeet Passi then came close to helping them regain their lead on the hour-mark when his shot from the edge of the box went just wide of the post.

Odisha had a big chance to take the lead in the 68th minute when a cutback from the right found Bikramjit Singh in the box. Bikramjit managed to keep his shot on target but it was straight at Jamshedpur’s custodian Subrata Paul, who made a confident save. Undeterred, the hosts kept pushing and went close themselves in the 73rd minute as a Castel volley hit the side netting.

Both teams had golden opportunities to win the match in the post the 75-minute mark. An Odisha corner into a dangerous area almost led to a goal but their players couldn’t sort out their feet quickly enough to get a shot away. Jamshedpur looked to capitalise on Odisha’s wastefulness by hitting them on the break from the same corner. They worked themselves into a two-on-one situation only for Farukh to see his attempted lay off to Castel being intercepted.

The hosts though made no mistakes five minutes from full-time when a lovely through ball put Castel free on goal. The Spaniard demonstrated his class with an intelligent chip over an outrushing Francisco Dorronsoro that gave him his first Hero ISL goal and Jamshedpur the win.

Hero of the Match - Farukh Choudhary

Farukh Choudhary was deservedly adjudged the Hero of the Match after an all-action display that saw him bomb up and down the right wing all game. His dangerous cross led to the game’s opener and he continued to create chances for his team throughout the game.

AWARDS

Club Award – Jamshedpur FC

Maruti Suzuki Limitless Player of the Match - Sergio Castel

ISL Emerging Player of the Match - Jerry Mawihmingthanga

Hero of the Match - Farukh Choudhary

Watch the match highlights here:

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Jamshedpur FCOdisha FC Match Report2019-2020