Jamshedpur FC came from behind twice to beat Kerala Blasters FC 3-2 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Sunday. The win also ended Jamshedpur’s six-match winless run in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 and keeps them in the top four race. For Kerala, the loss marks the end of their two-match winning streak.

  • Messi Bouli gave Kerala the lead in the 11th minute.
  • Noe Acosta brought Jamshedpur level in the 39th minute.
  • Abdul Hakku was sent off in the 49th minute after receiving his second yellow card of the night.
  • Bartholomew Ogbeche made it 2-1 in Kerala’s favour in the 56th minute.
  • Sergio Castel converted a penalty on the 75th minute to restore parity for Jamshedpur.
  • In the 86th minute, an own goal by Ogbeche made it 3-2 in the home team’s favour.

After a busy start to the contest, Messi Bouli had the first shot on target in the 10th minute but it was straight at Subrata Paul in the Jamshedpur goal. A minute later, however, the Cameroonian got the better of the Jamshedpur custodian. Messi closed Subrata down as he attempted to clear a back pass and forced an error from the veteran keeper, who miskicked the ball. With an empty goal at his mercy, Messi slotted home his sixth goal of the season to make it 1-0.

Jamshedpur tried to respond and Aitor Monroy forced a save from TP Rehenesh in the Kerala goal soon after. Almost immediately at the other end, Messi found himself through on goal yet again but this time, blazed his shot over. During the course of the chance, however, Jamshedpur captain Tiri picked up a knock and had to go off the field.

As the half progressed, it was the home team which dominated possession but couldn’t really create notable chances. The equaliser, however, did come in the 39th minute. Kerala failed to clear the danger after a quickly taken set piece and the ball ended up with Monroy just outside the penalty box. The Spaniard played in an inch-perfect cross for his countryman Noe Acosta, who responded with a cool cushioned finish. The two teams headed in for the break level at 1-1.

Five minutes into the restart, Kerala were reduced to 10 men after Abdul Hakku was sent off for his second booking of the night following a sliding tackle on David Grande.

Despite being down by a man, Kerala struck next. Bartholomew Ogbeche headed in a Jessel Carneiro cross in the 56th minute to make it 2-1 in Kerala’s favour. Desperate to get back into the contest, Antonio Iriondo threw in top scorer Sergio Castel into the fray in the 65th minute and the change yielded instant results.

The Spaniard, making his return after missing Jamshedpur’s last five matches with an injury, played a pivotal role in the home team’s 75th minute equaliser. Messi handled the ball while trying to deny Castel a header on goal from a corner, which resulted in a penalty for Jamshedpur. Castel stepped up and converted to mark his return with his sixth strike of the season.

The equaliser set up an intriguing end to the match with the home team trying to press on for a winner and the pressure paid off in the 86th minute. Castel missed a golden opportunity to head home his second of the night, but the ball fell to Grande in the left-hand side of the Kerala box. The 28-year-old sent the ball back into the danger zone. With Castel breathing down his neck, Ogbeche attempted to hoof it clear but got his connection wrong and directed the ball inside his own net. The Kerala skipper came close to redeeming himself a couple of minutes later but his low shot from distance came off the post after beating Subrata. The match eventually concluded with the scoreline reading 3-2 for the home side.

Hero of the Match – Sergio Castel

Marking his return after a long injury layoff, the Spaniard came onto the field in the 65th minute with his team trailing 2-1. His appearance on the field had an instant impact as the tide of the match turned with him converting a penalty to equalise. The striker’s menacing presence in the Kerala box also played a part in Jamshedpur’s third goal. He was adjudged the Hero of the Match.

AWARDS

Club Award – Jamshedpur FC

Maruti Suzuki Limitless Player of the Match – Noe Acosta

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Aitor Monroy

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Amarjit Singh

Hero of the Match – Sergio Castel

Watch the match highlights here: