Ashley Koli help Jamshedpur pick up their first win
Jamshedpur FC picked up their first win of the 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup, a goal by Ashley Koli, defeating the Indian Navy Football Team 1-0 in a Group B fixture in Kolkata.
Ashley, who was the standout player in the match, found the all-important winner in the 70th minute of the game.
As it stands, Mumbai City sits at the top of the group with six points and Jamshedpur now joining Mohammedan Sporting on three points each.
First-Half
It was an open end-to-end football from the get-go with Ashley and Sadhu Marandi showing great intent for the Red Miners while the experienced P.M Britto and Pintu Mahata were the main threats for Indian Navy up front.
The first proper chance came the way of Jamshedpur captain Sk. Sahil is in the 26th minute of the game. A wonderfully weighted cross from the right flank from Asem Singh turned into a free header for Sahil, but the former Mohun Bagan midfielder could not keep it on target.
In the 35th, Navy wing-back Navjot Singh, got hold of a loose ball outside the Jamshedpur half and unleashed a left-footer which had power, but lacked direction.
Then in the 40th, Pradeesh was adjudged to have brought down the sprightly Ashley inside the box. The resulting penalty was saved by Navy keeper Robinson, who had a good match overall.
It was the first penalty save of the tournament and Chawngthu of Jamshedpur was at the receiving end. Navy ended the half with 64% possession and would finish the game with 62%, however, that did not count for much in the end.
Second-half
The first good chance of the second half fell to the Red Miners in the 56th minute, when Ashley after one of his dazzling forays down the left, found Asem’s run inside the box, but the diminutive forward inexplicably misdirected a free header from near hand-shaking distance, with Robinson at his mercy.
To Steven Dias’s disbelief, Asem did it again from the same provider about 10 minutes later, albeit the distance from the goal this time was a tad greater. Steven Dias had had enough and promptly replaced him with Laishram Meetei.
The goal came thereafter in the 70th minute and deservedly to Ashley. Chawngthu, who had missed the penalty earlier took the corner and his floater to the far post was put back across towards the six-yard box by Rosangzuala who had come up from defense for the flag-kick.
Ashely rose to meet the bouncing ball and beat Robinson with his header. He then had a chance to get a second for himself.
But his attempt in the 80th after yet another good run on the left, beat the keeper but landed on the roof of the net. The referee played seven minutes of added time but the score-line remained the same and Jamshedpur walked off with a deserving victory.
Indian Army earned their second successive victory in the Durand Cup 2023
Indian Army FT held on in a high-intensity match that saw some injury-time drama to beat local side Bodoland FC 2-1 to secure their second consecutive victory in a Group F fixture of the 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup played at the SAI Stadium.
Samir Murmu gave the lead for the Army side early in the first half while Suresh Meitei scored the decisive goal from the spot in the fourth minute of second-half extra time.
Joe Aidoo scored the consolation for the home side in the 11th minute of injury time. Indian Army’s captain and goalkeeper Bhabindra Thakuri was sent off for his second yellow card.
Indian Army has six points from two matches after this victory while Bodoland are out of the race for a place in the knockouts after their second loss in the tournament.
First-Half
It was the local side backed by a vociferous home crowd who were on the front foot from the start. They created the first scoring opportunity as Arjun Mardi’s looping cross found Joseph Olaleye but his header went wide.
Indian Army made them pay for the miss by scoring on the other end. P. Christopher Kamei’s brilliant ball found Samir Murmu who ran free from the defence and headed past the Bodoland keeper.
The Army side could have doubled the lead soon but Alwin’s effort was saved by Bodoland keeper Birkhang Daimary. Bodoland FC had a golden opportunity to equalize from a mistake by Zothanpuia.
Nicodim Narjary took advantage of the defender’s slip and chipped past the Indian Army goalkeeper Bhabindra Thakuri to put the ball back off the post. Nicodim had another opportunity to score again in the half.
The lively Arjun Mardi found Nicodim free inside the box but the forward scuffed his shot which went above the crossbar.
Bodoland were creating the better chances in the half but their finishing was off the mark. Ansumana Kromah and Echezona Celestine’s efforts were straight at the Army goalkeeper. The home side had 62% of the ball in the half but were unable to find the equalizer as the Army side took their lead to the break.
Second-Half
After resumption, Indian Army had better control and possession of the ball. They defended deep and kept the ball, frustrating the Bodoland attackers. Bodoland were playing in the same pattern as they did in the first half but lacked the finishing touch inside the final third.
Bodoland managed to put the ball inside the net twice but it was ruled out by the referee for an infringement on Army goalkeeper Bhabindra Thakuri.
Bodoland’s coach brought in the changes to freshen up the attack for the home side. There was end-to-end football by both sides but without a goal to show for it.
Referee Pratik Mondal awarded ten minutes of extra time as there were multiple stoppages for injuries to the players.
Army who were defending deep and playing on the counter-attacks found the second goal in the fourth minute of injury time. Bikash Thapa’s solo run was stopped illegally by the Bodoland Captain Didwim Hazowary.
Suresh Meitei converted the penalty sending the goalkeeper in the wrong way ensuring three points for Indian Army. But there was more action to come as Bodoland struck one back in the 11th minute of extra time through Joe Aidoo.
His thumping header from a corner found the top corner of the goal. A frustrated Army captain and goalkeeper Bhabindra Thakuri kicked the ball away in frustration which led to him receiving a second booking and as a result, being red-carded.
In the end, Indian Army held on to their slender lead to secure their second consecutive victory in the tournament. Indian Army will face Rajasthan United in their final group game while Bodoland FC will take on Odisha FC to complete the proceedings of Group F.
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