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Jamshedpur FC hammered Mumbai City FC with a sensational come-from-behind 3-2 victory at the JRD Tata Sports Complex to secure their maiden win at home in ISL 2024-25. Though the Islanders had the early lead, Jamshedpur players stuck to their game plan to make a comeback to win at their home. With this win, Jamshedpur now have clinched back-to-back wins this season.
A Strong Start by Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC started the game with aggression, dominating possessions and early opportunities. In the fifth minute of the game, Yoell van Nieff intercepted a pass from Javi Hernandez and released a powerful long-range shot that curled just inches wide of the post. It was clear that the visitors were intent on controlling the game from the very beginning.
Within minutes though, Jamshedpur FC responded with their first notable chance. Imran Khan delivered a well-placed corner and Pratik Chaudhari on the far post headed it towards Javier Siverio. Siverio laid it off to Jordan Murray and his shot was cleared off the line for the fourth corner of the game. The play almost went into the lead, but Tiri's clearance deflected off the top of the crossbar and it remained level.
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Karelis Gomes adds some magic for Mumbai FC
Mumbai did not have much to respond at this point, when in the eighth minute, through a Thaer Krouma header, Nikolaos Karelis delivered a thunderous shot that beat Albino Gomes, Jamshedpur FC's goalkeeper, to find himself at the forefront of the contest. The same player again threatened to double up just moments later, but failure to convert and reduction of the margin limited the damage.
Jordan Murray's equaliser for Jamshedpur FC
As the first half came by, Jamshedpur FC gradually went into a rhythm. It finally clicked in the 36th minute when an equalizer from Jordan Murray came along. A wonderful cross from Imran Khan from the right wing found Murray, who calmly slotted it into the net to restore parity, putting hopes back in the shop of home supporters once again.
Javi Hernandez's Spectacular Free-Kick
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At the stroke of halftime, Jamshedpur FC did well to go ahead due to some maverick wizardry by Javi Hernandez. With a magical effort from the right flank, Hernandez's free-kick made it past the Mumbai defense and into the back of the net. It was a lapse in communication between the defenders and goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa that they capitalised on. The goal meant not only that Jamshedpur was leading but the total momentum was now on the side of the latter.
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Second-Half Supremacy by Jamshedpur FC
The home team continued the attack thrust in the second half. It was not more than four minutes after the resumption when Jamshedpur could have further made it 2-1 in their favour. Jordan Murray was poised to double his score for the night after Javi Hernandez played a sublime pass that sat him up. But an important block by Valpuia stopeed Murray's second goal of the night from occurring.
The pressure finally paid off in the 50th minute when a gem piece of play by Seiminlen Doungel set up Hernandez for his second goal. Doungel stepped past the Mumbai defense, and set up Hernandez for a perfect cross. Hernandez made no mistake with the pinpoint cross that doubled Jamshedpur's advantage over Mumbai City FC. The Spaniard's clinical finish left the Mumbai goalkeeper stretched and helpless, bringing the stadium to its feet.
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Mumbai City FC Fightback but Jamshedpur Emerge Victorius
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Last season's ISL Cup winners, Mumbai City FC did not lose heart despite being two down, and they went all out for a comeback. It came in the 77th with Yoell van Nieff pulling one back as his outside-the-penalty-area curling effort evaded Gomes and thudded the ball to the back of the net, thus reducing the deficit and making the endgame tense.
In the dying embers, Mumbai City FC went all out on the attack but Jamshedpur FC stood rock solid in their defense. Petr Kratky's team left everything on the pitch, but the backline of the hosts and mindful substitution made sure they went away with all three points.
Key Performer of the Match: Javi Hernandez
It is more than obvious that Javi Hernandez was the top performer of the match. The two goals for his team ensured that Jamshedpur FC would not go down in a defeat, but it would also make him the third player ever in ISL history who scored for five different teams. He dominated set pieces and made intelligent runs to create space, thus opening up the route to the victory of his team, and he has played an important role in some defensive and midfield work.
What's Next for the Teams?
Jamshedpur FC will look to carry such momentum into the away game against Odisha FC at Bhubaneswar on September 28. Mumbai City FC have a brief break between this and return to action on 2nd of October with Bengaluru FC visiting them at the Mumbai Football Arena. The two sets of players looking for a win over each other will look to be back and carry on with the remaining part of the season in good form.
Brief Scores:
Jamshedpur FC: 3 (Jordan Murray 36', Javi Hernandez 44', 50')
Mumbai City FC: 2 (Nikolaos Karelis 18', Yoell van Nieff 77')
