Jamshedpur: A late strike secured a valuable point for NorthEast United FC against Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) match at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Monday.
Sergio Castel gave hosts the lead in the 28th minute but Panagiotis Triadis levelled the score in the 90th minute. The result moved Jamshedpur, who have 11 points from 6 games up to second in the table while NorthEast climbed to fourth spot with 10 points from 6 matches.
Deployed in a 4-1-4-1 formation by coach Antonio Iriondo, hosts Jamshedpur started brightly and dominated in the first half. They passed the ball around and created more opportunities. Their efforts were rightfully rewarded in the 28th minute
A brilliant ball from Aitor Monroy from the right found Farukh Choudhary in the box. Choudhary created a bit of space on the right side and cut the ball in for Sergio Castel. The ball bounced up off a NorthEast defender but Castel controlled it on his chest, dropped it to his feet and hammered it home on the half volley. Subhasish Roy got a hand to it but there was enough power in the shot to take the ball into the net.
Jamshedpur looked more threatening of the two but could not increase their lead. But in the second half, NorthEast came out all guns blazing in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation while the hosts tried to hold on. Jamshedpur were looking to take advantage of the hosts committing more men forward in search of an equaliser to counter attack.
Their plan worked fairly well but the visitors looked more likely to score. Both teams found it difficult to create clear cut chances and it looked like it was going to the NorthEast’s first defeat of the season.
But just before the clock hit the stipulated 90th minute, Mislav Komorski hit a long high ball towards Asamoah Gyan just outside the box. Despite Tiri’s best effort, the Ghanaian managed to head the ball to the left. Panagiotis Triadis got to the ball first and tucked it in before Subrata Paul could close him down.
The furnace went silent as away fans celebrated. The referee added five minutes for injuries and stoppages but it was not enough to change the score line.
