Jamshedpur FC notched up a gritty 1-0 victory over the former champions Bengaluru Fc in a Hero Indian Super League game at the JL Nehru Stadium, Fatorda in Goa on Monday.
Sunil Chhetri’s side fell to a Stephen Eze (79′) goal as the Men of Steel leapfrogged Bengaluru FC to third spot with 13 points from nine matches. BFC stay fourth with 12 points from eight games.
Bengaluru took just three minutes to register their first shot on target. Kristian Opseth’s free-kick nearly curled into the bottom corner, only to be kept out by a diving TP Rehenesh.
BFC continued to be on ascendancy but kept missing chances. Sunil Chhetri was set through on goal by a brilliant Suresh pass, but the skipper’s shot from a good position was deflected behind. Off the resultant corner, Dimas found Chhetri, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Rehenesh’s brilliance at the half-hour mark kept the scoreline goalless. It was two against one for BFC when Suresh was set on goal by Chhetri. With just the keeper to beat, Suresh laid it for Cleiton Silva, but his weak pass was well intercepted by Rehenesh.
Jamshedpur were denied at the hour mark by two vital blocks. First Peter Hartley saw his weak shot saved by Gurpreet. The rebound fell into Eze’s path and his goal-bound shot was blocked by Bheke.
JFC finally broke the deadlock through Eze, who scored his third goal of the season. Lima played a weighted pass to Aniket on the right and the latter floated a cross in the box. Eze got past his marker and dived low to score past Gurpreet.