IMAGE: Jamshedpur FC’s Madih Talal celebrates after netting the winner against Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League on Sunday. Photograph: ISL/X
Key Points
- Jamshedpur FC kicked off their ISL campaign with a narrow win over Mohammedan SC.
- Madih Talal netted the all-important goal in the first-half.
- In another match, Bengaluru FC blanked Sporting Club Delhi with N Sivasakthi and Sunil Cheetri finding the net.
Jamshedpur FC marked the return of Indian Super League football to their citadel with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mohammedan SC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Sunday.
In the second match of the day, N Sivasakthi and Sunil Chhetri scored in each half as Bengaluru FC started their season with a convincing 2-0 win over Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
In front of a roaring home crowd, Madih Talal’s first-half strike proved decisive as Jamshedpur FC began their campaign with three valuable points.
The atmosphere was electric at kick off, and Jamshedpur wasted no time asserting themselves. Talal looked lively from the outset, orchestrating play in midfield, constructing passes and constantly looking to unlock the opposition defence with his creativity.
An early warning came in the third minute when Talal nicked possession and quickly fed Messi Bouli, who attempted to get a touch for a deflection, but the effort sailed just over. Moments later, Messi tried his luck from a wide angle, only to see his shot fly above the bar.
A calm finish by Talal
The breakthrough arrived in the eighth minute. Receiving the ball from midfield, Talal drove forward with confidence and calmly slotted his finish into the corner of the net, sending the Furnace into raptures and giving Jamshedpur FC a deserved 1-0 lead.
Jamshedpur thought they had doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Messi powered home a header from a pinpoint Sanan Mohammed cross.
But the referee ruled the goal out for offside. The disallowed strike proved to be a turning point in the half, with the tempo slowing down thereafter as both sides became more cautious in possession.
After the break, Jamshedpur continued to control proceedings but found clear-cut chances harder to come by.
Owen Coyle introduced Nikola Stojanovic in the 65th minute in place of Rei Tachikawa to inject fresh energy into midfield.
JFC dictate terms in second-half
The Men of Steel showed greater attacking intent as the second half progressed, moving the ball quickly and pushing for a second goal. Despite sustained pressure and probing runs into the final third, the finishing touch eluded them.
Defensively, Jamshedpur remained compact and disciplined, ensuring Mohammedan SC were limited to few meaningful opportunities.
And at the final whistle, it was Talal’s early strike that separated the two sides, securing a clean sheet and a winning start to the ISL campaign for Jamshedpur FC.
With eight home matches ahead and momentum on their side, the Men of Steel will look to build on this performance and continue turning the Furnace into a fortress once again.
Bengaluru ease past SC Delhi
IMAGE: Bengaluru FC produced a dominant display to outsmart Sporting Club Delhi. Photograph: ISL/X
Bengaluru FC began with intent with Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan coming close to scoring inside the first five minutes. Williams won the ball off Babovic in Delhi’s half, and with a strong run towards the box, hit a low shot from outside that went just wide of the post.
In the next minute, Nikhil Poojary floated in a lovely cross from the right, which was met by Ashique at the far post. SC Delhi goalkeeper Vishal Yadav reacted quickly and flicked the ball to safety.
Bengaluru had the majority of possession, but were not testing Vishal Yadav in goal. At the other end, Aimen showed his skills whenever he got space, but could not find much output at the end of it.
Augustine Lalrocchana tested Gurpreet in the final minutes of the first half with a low shot after being found by a brilliant through ball by Azhar. The forward, who made a good run, went through on goal and tried his luck, but it was saved well by Gurpreet.
Sivasakthi, Chhetri strike
Bengaluru eventually took the lead on the brink of half-time. Roshan, from the middle of the pitch, floated the ball towards Poojary, who had made a run into the box. The defender laid it off to Sivasakthi with a cushioned header in front of the goal, and the forward had an easy tap-in past the goalkeeper.
Bengaluru FC piled on the pressure in the opening minutes of the second half as well. Braian Sanchez produced a lovely turn to set himself up for a shot from the edge of the box. His shot was well-saved by Vishal Yadav, who pushed the ball away and kept his side’s deficit to one.
Bengaluru took the game away from their opposition, scoring the second goal through Chhetri. The hosts caught the opposition on the counter-attack as Vinith Venkatesh got the ball in the middle of the pitch, which was played forward to an unmarked Chhetri.
Vishal Yadav came way off his line to try and clear the ball, but Chhetri produced a clever flick. With the goal completely open, he attempted a left-footer from 30 yards out. The ball hit the upright before going into the net, buying the hosts some insurance.
