Second consecutive win for Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC continued their winning start in the Indian Super League as they beat Punjab 1-0 in the second match at JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Saturday.
While Madih Talal scored the winner in their opener against Mohammedan SC, it was Vincy Barretto who found the net in the 78th minute on Saturday coming on as a substitute 11 minutes earlier in place of Ritwik Das.
Mohammed Sanan played an aerial ball from the left flank which Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh fisted away. But the rebound struck Barretto — who was in the right place at the right time — on his knee and ricochetted back into the net.
It was a lucky goal, but coach Owen Coyle would be more than pleased with two back-to-back wins at the start of the season. Also, the two clean sheets will be added incentive for Coyle, who had led Jamshedpur FC to become the league winners in the 2021-22 season.
Thanks to the victory, they have six points from two matches and are placed second on the table behind table toppers SC East Bengal, who also have two wins including their 4-1 victory against Sporting Club Delhi in the early game on Saturday.
The two teams will now face off in their next match in Kolkata on Friday which promises to be a mouth-watering encounter.
Earlier, the hosts began well and Pronay Halder came close to scoring midway through the first half when his header from a corner drifted just wide. Messi Bouli also kept the Punjab defence on their toes but couldn’t get the breakthrough.
The second half was no different as JFC continued to press and in the 63rd minute Talal forced a save from the Punjab goalkeeper with a powerful effort from the wing. With not much time remaining and the fans getting impatient, Coyle brought in Barretto and Rei Tachikawa into the attack. The decisive moment came almost immediately as Jamshedpur took the lead to the delight of the supporters at the Furnace.