NEW DELHI: Jamshedpur FC edged past Punjab FC 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25, on Tuesday, January 29, 2025. The Men of Steel are now placed third in the standings, with 31 points from 17 games courtesy of 10 wins and a draw - trailing the second-placed FC Goa (33) by just two points.

Jamshedpur FC broke the deadlock through Pratik Chaudhuri’s header in the 41st minute and later Javi Hernandez doubled the lead early in the second half. Punjab FC tried their level best to salvage something from the game but Ezequiel Vidal’s goal remained only as a consolation. With this defeat, Punjab FC are now winless in seven consecutive games this season.

The game turned in the 41st minute when Jamshedpur FC took the lead courtesy of a goal from Pratik Chaudhuri. The defender rose the high in the box from Rei Tachikawa’s corner and hammered it home past Muheet Shabir to hand Jamshedpur FC the lead against the run of play.

Things complicated for the hosts when Muheet’s clearance cannoned off Javi Hernandez and landed straight into the back of the net in the 48th minute.

It started with a back pass from Nikhil Prabhu towards Ivan Novoselec before the experienced defender played a loose ball back to Muheet. With Javi pressing, the goalkeeper was in a hurry to clear his lines and in the process the ball struck him and found its way into the net.

Punjab FC finally pulled one back in the 58th minute when Vidal rifled one from distance and left the entire Jamshedpur FC backline including Albino in goal surprised. The Argentine swerved the ball past Pratik before nestling it into the bottom right corner. This was the 10th goal that Jamshedpur FC conceded from outside the penalty area in the ongoing season.

Punjab FC will face Bengaluru FC next on February 1, whereas Jamshedpur FC will play FC Goa on February 2.

(Courtesy: ISL Media Team)