Daniel Chima Chukwu scored a brace to pave the way for a 10-man Jamshedpur FC’s thrilling 3-2 win over Kerala Blasters in a Group B match of the Kalinga Super Cup at the Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch on Monday.
With this win, Jamshedpur FC became the first team in the ongoing competition to qualify for the semi-finals, as they have an unassailable lead in Group B.
In what turned out to be a see-saw battle, Jeremy Manzorro scored the winner for Jamshedpur from the spot. For Kerala Blasters, Diamantakos Dimitrios scored a brace from two penalty kicks earned by Kerala Blasters. Chukwu was shown a red card in the added minutes of the match.
In a keenly contested match, both sides delivered commendable and attacking performances from the outset. In such a closely fought game, the outcome was likely to hinge on the players’ ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities and both sides’ forwards certainly showed their composure under pressure.
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There was also a captivating individual contest unfolding between Daniel Chima Chukwu of Jamshedpur and Diamantakos Dimitrios of Kerala Blasters. Both strikers have been in excellent form and have consistently found the back of the net throughout the season. And this duel did not disappoint, as both Chukwu and Dimitrios scored a brace each.
It was Dimitrios who gave Kerala Blasters the lead in the 28th minute. Jamshedpur’s Imran Khan brought down Daisuke Sakai inside the box and the referee, Venkatesh R, pointed to the spot immediately. Dimitrios stepped up and converted the penalty. Despite TP Rehenesh diving in the correct direction, the sheer force and accuracy of Dimitrios’ shot were enough to evade his outstretched hands and find the back of the net.
Jamshedpur, though, equalised five minutes later with a beautiful goal. Muhammed Uvais delivered an inch-perfect cross and Chukwu ran behind the defence to sweetly connect with the ball with his right foot and score his first goal of the match.
The second half started in an equally attacking fashion as Jamshedpur created an opportunity in the 48th minute when substitute Alen Stevanovic was released with a beautiful through ball. However, a heavy first touch from the Serbian forward let him down. Kerala Blasters, too, created a chance of their own a couple of minutes later. But Jamshedpur goalkeeper TP Rehenesh thwarted the danger after fumbling to collect the ball in his first attempt.
Stevanovic made amends when he contributed to Jamshedpur’s second goal in the 57th minute. He delivered a fast and well-targeted ball into the penalty box, aiming for Chukwu. The Nigerian forward adeptly controlled the ball, turned skillfully and unleashed a strong right-footed strike that found its way into the net. Kerala Blasters’ goalkeeper Sachin A Suresh did manage to get a hand on the ball, but the force of Chukwu’s shot was enough to overpower his attempt at a save.
Kerala Blasters were not to leave the field without a fight. Chukwu conceded a penalty when he fouled Mark Leskovic while attempting to clear a corner. It was Diamantakos once again who converted from the spot to level the scores in the 62nd minute.
Jamshedpur, though, came roaring back into the contest in the 69th minute. This time, Leskovic brought down Chukwu in his penalty box as Chukwu was trying to get a shot away. Jeremy Manzorro scored the penalty that turned out to be the winner.
In the dying minutes of the match, Jamshedpur were reduced to 10 men after Chukwu was shown a red card for a rough tackle on Leskovic.
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NorthEast United FC Beat Shillong Lajong
Nestor Albiach Roger scored twice in the second half to give NorthEast United FC their first win in the Kalinga Super Cup in the second round of the Group B encounter at the Kalinga Stadium on Monday.
NorthEast United had to fight hard to get their first win in nine matches this season. This win keeps them in the race for a place in the semi-finals here, with a match left in hand against Kerala Blasters FC in the group stage on January 20. NorthEast United lost their first match of the group against Jamshedpur FC.
NorthEast United started positively as they stormed the Shillong Lajong defensive lines with attacks from the flanks. The first real chance of the match fell to Romain Philippoteaux, whose shot was blocked by the Shillong defence in the eighth minute. Shillong were looking to sit back and play on the counter in the early minutes of the game.
The first goal of the match came in the 17th minute when Brazilian Douglas Rosa Tardin’s shot from just outside the box proved too challenging for NorthEast custodian Dipesh Chauhan, who struggled to deal with the bounce, resulting in the ball hitting the back of the net.
NorthEast dominated possession but failed to create a clear opportunity to equalise. Shillong Lajong came very close to doubling their lead when Daniel Goncalves hit the woodwork from a brilliant freekick in the 27th minute.
It took NorthEast United 44 minutes to muster up their first real chance at goal, but Parthib Sundar Gogoi failed to judge the run of the ball from a brilliant cross by Phillippoteaux and let the ball run out.
NorthEast United stacked up efforts in the second half, piling up pressure on the Shillong defence. Dinesh’s attempt in the 51st minute was well saved by Neitho to keep Shillong’s lead intact. The pressure finally paid off when Nestor slotted home the equaliser in the 59th minute with an easy header from close range to level the scores.
Although NorthEast looked like the better team on the pitch, Shillong were brave and showed no signs of backing down as they went forward with vigour and intent.
The turning point of the match came in the 67th minute when Nickson was tripped inside the penalty box by Pursunep, resulting in the referee pointing to the spot to offer NorthEast a penalty. Nestor steeped forward and calmly put the ball in the back of the net to give NorthEast the lead and three points in the end.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
