On matchday 3 of ISL season 8, Jamshedpur FC and SC East Bengal face-off against each other at Tilak Maidan. Jamshedpur are heading into their 5th season in the ISL and will be looking to break into the play-offs position for the first time while SC East Bengal who didn’t have the pleasant of ISL debuts last season, will looking to make amends
Team News
Jamshedpur FC will be without the services of Jordan Murray who has suffered a hamstring problem whereas SC East Bengal is likely to miss Loken Metei for the first game of the season.
3 Indian Players to look out for
Arindam Bhattacharya
One of the most high profile movements during the summer, Arindam decided to switch the green and maroon for the red and gold. Switching ship from ATK Mohun Bagan to SC East Bengal, Arindam has been handed the captain’s armband and will lead the Torchbearers out in ISL 2021-22. Arindam has years of experience under his belt and this will be his 15th season as a professional in Indian football. Arindam conceded only 19 goals last season playing for SC East Bengal’s neighbours and Manolo Diaz will hope his captain will carry forward the same form into his new house just a couple blocks down the road.
Ishan Pandita
One of India’s young prodigies, Ishan Pandita impressed football fans across the country with his prowess in front of the goal. Pandita left FC Goa, in search of more playing time signing for Jamshedpur FC. While Jamshedpur have a potent striking force comprising of Valskis, Stewart and Murray, but given that you can only field 4 foreign players this season, Pandita is likely to partner up with Valskis. The youngster scored 4 goals last season with the Gaurs in only 131 minutes of playing time, if Coyle puts his trust in the young man, Pandita could light the league up.
Jackichand Singh
A former Red Miner himself, Jackichand who had signed for Mumbai City for 2021-22 has been loaned out to SC East Bengal for this campaign. Jackichand has been off-form lately and had only managed to register 3 assists for Jamshedpur last season. Jacki had a great ISL 6 with the Gaurs when he scored 5 goals and contributed to 3 others that had prompted Jamshedpur to sign the versatile winger for ISL 7. With an abundance of experience of playing in the first flight of Indian football and the national team, the red and gold brigade will hope that Manipur lad will be able to channel his form of yesteryears.
3 Foreign Players to look out for
Nerijus Valskis
We probably cannot talk about a Jamshedpur game without talking about Nerijus Valskis. The Lithuanian has mesmerized fans since his debut in the league in 2019. Grabbing 15 goals in his debut season at Chennaiyin, Coyle took his superstar along with him to Jamshedpur in 2020. While Valskis wasn’t his destructive self in the 2020-21 season but he was still the top scorer at Jamshedpur with 8 goals. Coyle will once again expect Valskis to fire but he has assembled quite an arsenal of strikers to his squad.
Daniel Chima Chukwu
Ever since the striker has landed in India at SC East Bengal, there has been a pulsating sense of excitement around the establishment. The arrival of the Nigerian has brought back the memories of his namesake and another Nigerian Chima Okorie who had scored 121 goals for East Bengal. The Red and Gold brigade will expect the same from Chima Chukwu who has played extensively in the Norwegian first division for Molde and has also scored in the Europa League. A striker of rich pedigree it will be interesting to see if his debut in the ISL will be equally “Bright”.
Greg Stewart
The Scottish footballer moves to ISL from Rangers having played under Steven Gerrard. Greg Stewart has played in the Scottish First Divison for a host of clubs, starting with Cowdenbeath, Dundee and Rangers. He has had loan spells at Aberdeen and Kilmarnock while his stint with Birmingham City having played for them a season in the English Championship after signing a 3-year contract with the English Club. He can play as a striker and also as a second striker in the false 9 position. Does Coyle start him alongside Valskis or just behind him will be intriguing to see.
Predicted Line Up
SC East Bengal
Jamshedpur FC
Head to Head Record
SC East Bengal and Jamshedpur have faced off only twice over the extent of last season. While the first game ended in a goal-less stalemate where Eugenson Lyngdoh got sent off in the first half for East Bengal with Dinliana following suit for Jamshedpur in stoppage time in the second half. In the return leg, the Red and Gold brigade won 2-1.
Predicted Result
This is could be a very dicey encounter as both sides will look to make the perfect start to life in the new season. While the Jamshedpur has retained most of his core team from last season, this will also be their second season under Owen Coyle and Coyle will be looking to break Jamshedpur’s paly-off duck. SC East Bengal has rebuilt this season under Manolo Diaz after a disappointing season under Robbie Fowler last season. They have got themselves a side who have experience of playing in the ISL and have scouted and signed some noteworthy foreign names. It will be a close encounter in which we see Jamshedpur edging past East Bengal with a 2-1 scoreline.
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