The 89th match of the Hero Indian Super League was honestly a mixed bag- not the sort that leaves you with a bad taste in the mouth but the sort that makes you appreciate the game of football and what it entails. The match was settled to end in a goalless draw but one strike and one mistake in the 90th minute of the game and it was all but over for Chennaiyin FC.
Jamshedpur FC had won the match in that last minute. It was David Grande with some help from rival defender Enes Sipovic that the goal was created.
The match between two teams sweating it out in the middle of the points table kicked off at the GMC Stadium Bambolim and a win was very important for both of them. Both the teams still have slim chances of making it to the semi-finals and it was interesting to notice the mindset of the players going into the match.
The match started with Chennaiyin FC dominating the proceedings. The Marina Machans’ first attempt at goal came just 4 minutes into the match as Memo Moura‘s wonderful across the field pass went to Lallianzuala Chhangte and he cut in into the penalty box with pace. His finish though left a lot to be desired as TP Rehenesh, the rival goalkeeper was alert enough to pull off a brilliant save.
It was Memo Moura again with an attempt from outside the box around the 27th-minute mark was just off target and it resulted in a goal kick. Again, the Moura-Chhangte duo helped in a brilliant ball for Rahim Ali who was at a great position to slot in the first goal. Ricky Lallawmawma pulled off an extraordinary piece of defending to save his team from conceding the first.
The first half saw both the teams battling hard on the pitch but Chennaiyin FC having the upper arm, creating few genuine chances but unfortunately not being able to finish them. The second half began and the first genuine attempt at goal came from the Jamshedpur FC side of things. Aitor Monroy crossed in a ball into the box but goalkeeper Vishal Kaith brilliantly punched it way out of the box. An incoming Narender Gahlot claimed it and sent in a shot towards the target. But it was the goalkeeper again to pounce and claim it.
The second half too seemed to result in a stalemate as there were no signs of breaking the deadlock, but out of nowhere in the 90th minute, Jamshedpur FC slotted in a goal and that was it for them. David Grande‘s close-range shot towards the goal simply deflected off of Enes Sipovic’s foot and went in on his own goal. It was an unbelievable turn of events for Chennaiyin FC as they were one down in the last few minutes of injury time even after dominating the match most of the time. There were no more surprise goals after that and Jamshedpur FC had collected the three points they were here for.
Hero of the Match: Stephen Eze
The DHL Winning Pass of the Match Award was awarded to Farukh Choudhary. On the other hand, Stephen Eze received the Hero of the Match Award for his solid defensive presence in the pitch.
Jamshedpur FC rises to the 6th position in the table, with 21 points from 17 matches. They face ATK Mohun Bagan in their next match on the 14th of February. Chennaiyin FC is now at the 8th position, with 17 points from 17 matches. They will face FC Goa on the 13th of February.
