Jamshedpur: Javier Siverio’s double strike ensured Jamshedpur FC edge past Punjab FC 2-1 in the Indian Super League fixture played here at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. Pulga Vidal scored for Punjab. Punjab slipped to fifth place in the table with 18 points while Jamshedpur climbed to sixth in the table with the same number of points from 10 matches.
Panagiotis Dilmperis made just one change to the starting lineup with Leon Augustine returning to the right back position in place of Ninthoinganba Meetei. Muheet Shabir continued in goal as Ravi Kumar and Khaimingthang Lhungdim returned to the bench. Jamshedpur FC Head Coach Khalid Jamil named his strongest starting eleven in the crucial encounter with Spaniards Javier Siverio and Javi Hernandez leading the line.
Punjab suffered an early jolt as Filip Mrzljak had to be replaced by Asmir Suljic after getting injured. The Red Miners stuck to their game plan of launching long balls into Punjab’s half and troubling the defence with their set pieces. Stephen Eze’s and Javier Siverio’s attempts were blocked by the defence after Jamshedpur kept winning the second ball from long throw-ins by the full backs. The home side eventually took the lead in the dying seconds of the first half through a similar play. Eze flicked a throw in ahead of the onrushing goalkeeper Muheet Shabir which was met by Javi Hernandez who diverted it on to the path of Siverio. The Spaniard calmly finished it past the crowd of defenders to give his team the lead.
The best chances of the first half did come for the Shers earlier. Nihal Sudeesh found Pulga Vidal with a fine low cross at the end of a good run down the left wing but the forward skied his shot above the crossbar. Luka Majcen hit the post just before injury time with a header from a cross by Vidal down the left wing.
Punjab FC levelled the scores in the very first minute of the second half. Asmir Suljic released Luka Majcen inside the box and the Slovenian found Pulga Vidal unmarked at the far post. The Argentinian had no trouble in slotting the ball inside the net for his third goal of the season.
Javi Hernandez forced a save out of Muheet with a volley from the edge of the box which was the closest both teams came to scoring. Punjab played high up the pitch winning the battle in the midfield and keeping possession of the ball but chances were hard to come by. Albino Gomes made back to back saves from Leon Augustine and a free kick from Pulga Vidal to keep the scores level.
Jamshedpur hit the decisive goal six minutes from time again through Javier Siverio. Nikhil Barla put in a perfect cross in between the two Punjab center backs which was met with conviction by Siverio who headed it past the outstretched hands of Muheet. The Red Miners saw off the rest of the game to clinch all three points as Punjab suffered their third loss of the season away from home.
Punjab FC will travel to Kolkata for their next fixture on 17th December against East Bengal at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
