Jamshedpur FC players celebrate after scoring a goal.© ISL
Jamshedpur FC secured their first win of the season on Sunday by beating NorthEast United 1-0 in the Indian Super League at Jamshedpur. Skipper Peter Hartley scored the lone goal as NorthEast United had their worst ever start to an ISL season with their fourth consecutive loss. The hosts got a defensive boost when Hartley returned to base and Eli Sabia slumped on the bench. An injury kept midfielder Germanpreet Singh out of this game and he was replaced by Farukh Choudhary. Marco Balbul switched to a five-man backline when he made five changes to the squad that lost to East Bengal last week.
Joe Zoherliana, Mashoor Shereef and Aaron Evans started on the defensive. Imran Khan replaced the injured Romain Philippoteaux in midfield and Mirshad Michu replaced Arindam Bhattacharja in goal.
The Highlanders did well to keep Jamshedpur at bay until the half hour. A minute later, the Red Miners found the breakthrough through Hartley.
Harry Sawyer climbed the highest and headed Wellington Priori’s corner towards goal. His effort landed at Hartley’s feet, and the Jamshedpur FC skipper calmly pushed the ball into the back of the net.
In the 52nd minute Sawyer was knocked out by Boris. The striker adjusted his foot, but his effort was blocked. Moments later, Chukwu outsmarted his marker and got his shot away, but that too was blocked.
On the other hand, Imran’s effort from the left wing was brilliantly saved by TP Rehenesh. The keeper produced a fingertip save to reject the midfielder.
promoted
NorthEast United failed to gain advantage when they received the ball in the final third.
The win lifts the Red Miners to sixth, six points from the top with a game in hand. They travel to Goa for their next match on November 3. The Highlanders remain at the bottom of the table and return home on November 5 to receive Kerala Blasters.
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