The Red Miners and Marina Machans faced off at the Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur in a crucial encounter for qualification to the knockout round of the 2024 Durand Cup. Chennaiyin’s dreams of making it to the knockout stages were ended by the hosts, who defeated them 2-1 in the end, spoiling Noel Wilson’s homecoming to Jamshedpur. Ironically, Jordan Murray scored against his old team on his comeback to Jamshedpur. From Muirang’s header to Vincy’s golazo, let’s examine more closely the key moments from the contest.
Having just defeated Assam Rifles 3-0, Khalid Jamil made two changes to the starting eleven: Sourav Das stepped into the midfield to take Nikhil Barla’s spot, and Aniket Jadhav took Emil Benny’s place in the attack. For the first time this season, three foreigners—Jordan Murray, Rei Tachikawa, and Siverio—were included in the matchday roster. On the other hand, Noel Wilson made three changes to the team, which was defeated 1-0 by Army Red in their opening match. To provide Irfan with some support up front, Vishal was selected over Lalpekhlua and started alongside the local lad Solaimalai, who made an impression off the bench in the previous game. Vivek filled in for Vincy, who was ill.
Irfan earned an early free kick in a risky position just outside the opposition box, giving the Marina Machans their first real opportunity of the match. A risky ball was fired across the goal by Solaimalai, the set piece taker, but Sourav Das did just enough to avert the danger. Soon after, Sourav played a risky ball forward that went past the Chennaiyin defense, but Samik Mitra was quickly off his line to claim the ball, preventing Len Doungel from scoring. About fifteen minutes into the match, Romario delivered a risky cross from the right wing across the goal, but Prathik was equal to the challenge, denying Irfan Yadwad the opportunity to score from close range.
In the early exchanges, Vivek S kept Muhammad Uvais on his toes by providing a constant threat from the right flank for the Marina Machans. Approximately thirty minutes into the match, Aniket Jadhav produced a beautiful pass to Sanan, who attempted to dribble past Vishal but was pulled down by his tackle, earning a foul for his side. Vishal received the game’s first yellow card for the challenge on Sanan. Imran Khan gave the Red Miners another chance to score from a set piece a few moments later, but Raman Singh did just enough to clear the ball and preserve the score.
Shortly after, Sanan dribbled past Romario and fired a shot that was headed towards the goal, but a Chennaiyin player blocked the ball to a corner. Mobashir, who took the subsequent corner, sent an inch-perfect cross into the six-yard box which Muirang headed into the back of the net, scoring the game’s opening goal and giving the Red Miners the lead. Chennaiyin had an immediate chance to level the score after Muirang took down Irfan Yadwad inside the box, earning a penalty kick. The goal scorer, Muirang, gave away the penalty and hurt himself in the process. Irfan took the penalty kick with the intention of tying the score, however he blew the opportunity by skyrocketing his attempt.
Shubam Sarangi took over for Muirang, who was unable to continue. When Aniket Jadhav stamped on Sachu Siby’s foot, he was given the second booking of the match. After taking another punch to the face while trying to win a header, Sachu was unable to play any longer and was replaced by Niketh, forcing Chennaiyin to make their first substitution of the match. At the end of the first half, five more minutes were added. Muirang’s goal gave the home team a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Coming into the second half, Khalid Jamil made one change as Javier Siverio was brought on for Aniket Jadhav. In the 50th minute, Praful’s dangerous throw toward the six-yard box was met by Irfan whose header was deflected off the woodwork. Moments later, Irfan had another opportunity, but his left-footed shot was off-target. Jamshedpur made further changes as Rei Tachikawa and Jordan Murray were brought on for Len Doungel and Mobashir. Around an hour into the game, Imran played a brilliant cross towards Siverio which ricocheted off the latter to the legs of Sanan whose left-footed attempt was straight into the hands of Samik Mitra.
Shortly after, Vincy Barretto and Ganespandi were substituted for Komal Thatal and Raman Singh, respectively, by Chennaiyin head coach Noel Wilson in an attempt to find an equalizer. Jordan Murray scored his first goal for the Red Miners since his return to the team in the 66th minute, doubling their advantage. Excellent play from Rei Tachikawa found Imran on the left flank, who played an inch-perfect cross to the six-yard box allowing Jordan Murray to leap above the Chennaiyin defenders and score.
When the game was around 70 minutes old, Vincy attempted a long-range goal, but his shot was deflected for a corner. The Marina Machans attempted something different at the subsequent corner when Solaimalai delivered a pass to an unmarked Romario at the outside of the box, but Romario’s effort was well off goal. Tachikawa tried to triple Jamshedpur’s advantage moments later with a right-footed volley, but his attempt missed the target. A few minutes later, Imran and Siverio had an incredible exchange of passes that almost saw Imran score his first goal of the match, but Imran was unable to put the ball in the back of the net.
At 2-0, it appeared as though the Red Miners would win the game and secure all three points since the Chennaiyin defense had no structure and was likely to give up more. When Solaimalai attempted a shot toward goal in the 80th minute, it was deflected for a corner after Jamshedpur gave up the ball cheaply. Shortly after, Imran completed a brilliant long pass to Siverio, who almost missed the goal despite clipping the ball over the charging Samik. Murray delivered a risky cross towards the goal from the right wing in the ninetieth minute. Samik, who should have had no trouble gathering it, fumbled the ball and nearly scored an own goal.
At the end of the second half, there were six extra minutes added. Minutes into the stoppage time, Vincy Barretto pulled one back for the Marina Machans with a thunderous strike. The ball was effectively won by the substitute Rojjak, who then passed it to Solaimalai, who laid it off to Vincy, who scored his first goal of the season with a long-range effort from outside the box. Irfan Yadwad headed a long ball from the back, giving Chennaiyin a chance to score shortly after, but Albino Gomes was able to stop Irfan’s weak header and keep the advantage intact. In the end, the game was won 2-1 by the hosts.
After winning their first two games, Jamshedpur FC now has six points from two games and is leading the standings. Khalid Jamil will be pleased with how his side has begun the current campaign since they are practically guaranteed to qualify for the Durand Cup knockout rounds. With more international players joining the team, Jamshedpur will become stronger and have a better chance of winning the prestigious championship. In their last group stage match, they would play Army Red, and a draw would even guarantee them a position in the knockout stages.
With two losses in two games, the Marina Machans’ prospects of qualifying appear to be gone. Although some of his players have not performed well in the competition thus far, Noel Wilson would feel pleased with the performance of players like Solaimalai, who has shown remarkable promise. The Marina Machans would be hoping to win and round up their campaign with a victory over Assam Rifles in their final game.
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