Jamshedpur, Feb 21: A late strike from super-sub Vincy Barretto helped Jamshedpur FC edge past Punjab FC 1-0 in the Indian Super League at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday, giving the Men of Steel their second consecutive home win of the season.
In front of a vibrant crowd at the Furnace, Jamshedpur FC dominated large spells of the contest but had to wait until the closing stages to break the deadlock.
The hosts began the match on the front foot and looked the more enterprising side in the opening half. Ritwik Das and Sanan Mohammed were lively on the flanks, while Pronay Halder came close midway through the first half when his header from a corner drifted just wide.
Jamshedpur FC continued to probe the Punjab defence, with Messi Bouli creating dangerous moments inside the box. The Cameroonian forward nearly fashioned an opening in the 38th minute after controlling a long ball, but the Punjab defence managed to snuff out the danger.
Moments later, Bouli delivered a low cross into the box that was cleared by the visitors. Sanan Mohammed gathered the loose ball and went down under a challenge, prompting loud appeals for a penalty from the Jamshedpur players, but the referee waved play on.
Despite creating more chances, the hosts went into the break without a goal as Punjab FC held firm defensively.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Jamshedpur pushing forward in search of the breakthrough. Mohammed Talal tested the Punjab goalkeeper with a powerful effort from the wing in the 63rd minute, but the shot was punched away.
Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle then turned to his bench, bringing on Vincy Barretto and Rei Tachikawa to inject fresh energy into the attack.
The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute. Barretto initiated the move from the middle before releasing Sanan Mohammed down the wing.
Sanan’s cross was punched away by the goalkeeper, but the ball ricocheted off Barretto and trickled into the net, sending the home crowd into celebration. Punjab FC pushed forward in the closing minutes in search of an equaliser, but the Jamshedpur defence, marshalled by captain Steven Eze, held firm. The victory continues Jamshedpur FC’s strong start to the campaign, with the Men of Steel building momentum early in the season while maintaining defensive solidity with another clean sheet at home.
In the next fixture, Jamshedpur FC face East Bengal in an away match on February 27th.
In the end, it was a victory forged as much in patience as in persistence. Jamshedpur FC may have left it late, but their dominance, defensive discipline and belief never wavered across the ninety minutes.
Owen Coyle’s willingness to trust his bench paid dividends, while the backline, superbly organised by Steven Eze, ensured that one goal would suffice on a night when chances were hard-earned.
Two successive home wins and another clean sheet underline a growing sense of structure and steel within the squad. (Agencies)
