Jamshedpur FC came back from being two goals down to pick up a thrilling 3 – 2 victory over Delhi Dynamos FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Sunday. Kalu Uche’s brace gave the Lions a two-goal advantage before the league debutants hit back with goals from Tiri, Yumnam Raju and Trindade Goncalves to grab the win.

The game started off with free-flowing football from both sides, and it was the Lions who created the first chance of the match in the 11^th minute. Subrata Paul punched the ball away from a Gabriel Cichero cross, but could not get enough power behind it as it fell straight to Nandhakumar Sekar. The latter’s shot though was blocked by Tiri.

However, Sekar did contribute to the opening goal in the 20^th minute. The 22-year-old whipped in a cross from the left flank, and Uche was at hand to stick out his head to direct the ball into the net. The league debutants evidently did not learn from their mistake, as Uche scored his and Delhi’s second a couple of minutes later from a similar situation. Again, Sekar put in a delightful cross from the left for the Nigerian to rise high and head in another goal.

The two-goal lead lasted just seven minutes as Jamshedpur pulled one back before the half-hour mark. Jerry Mawihmingthanga’s stepped up for a corner, and Tiri out-jumped everyone to head the ball into the back of the net and make it 2-1.

Ten minutes from half-time, and Delhi had a glorious chance when Lallianzuala Chhangte brilliantly controlled a lofted ball with his chest to get through on goal. But with only Jamshedpur custodian Paul to beat, the 20-year-old could not keep his cool as his shot blazed over the target. It was the last bit of action from an electrifying half as the visitors went into the break leading by a goal.

The home side needed just nine minutes after the restart to restore parity. Following a melee from a corner, the ball came straight to Raju, allowing him to caress the ball into the top left-hand corner with a shot from outside the box.

What followed was end-to-end action as the teams took turns to attack the final third. Fifteen minutes from time, substitute Goncalves got on to the end of a shot from the edge of the box. However, his goal-bound effort was blocked by Vinit Rai under suspicions of a handball.

The Brazilian would get on the scoresheet with four minutes of normal time to play though. Wellington Priori played a deft pass towards Goncalves, and the latter’s first-time shot went through defender Pratik Chowdhary’s legs and into the net. The goal proved to be the winner as Jamshedpur picked up their fourth win of the season to climb to fifth spot in the table and go level on points with fourth-placed FC Goa.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award: Jamshedpur FC

Swift Moment of the Match: Kalu Uche

DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Jerry Mawihmingthanga

Amul Fittest Player: Tiri

Emerging Player: Nandhakumar Sekar

Hero of the Match: Wellington Priori

Watch the match highlights here: