Jamshedpur, September 21: A brace from Javi Hernandez and a goal by Jordan Murray propelled Jamshedpur FC to their second win in the Indian Super League, defeating Mumbai City FC 3-2 in front of a packed JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Saturday. It was another comeback victory for the Men of Steelas they defeated FC Goa in their season opener after conceding an early goal. But this time it was Jamshedpur FC, who started strongly, with Jordan Murray coming close twice in the first 10 minutes. However, against the run of play, Nikolaos Karelis opened the scoring for Mumbai in the 18th minute, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box that sailed into the top right corner. Jamshedpur briefly lost momentum, but Albino Gomes produced a series of vital saves to keep the deficit to just one.
The Men of Steel soon came back into the game with Imran Khan making several tireless runs on the right flank that shifted the game in Jamshedpur FC’s favour.
His incisive runs led to the equalizer and the ensuing lead. In the 36th minute, Murray headed home an Imran cross to level the score. Just before halftime Imran won another freekick just outside the box and Javi Hernandez put Jamshedpur ahead with a clever kick. In the second half, Jamshedpur continued to press, and Hernandez added his second goal in the 50th minute, finishing a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner after being set up by substitute Seminlen Doungel. Although Mumbai pulled one back in the 77th minute through a long-range strike from Yoell Van Nieff, Jamshedpur maintained control in the dying minutes to seal the win in front of nearly 17,000 ecstatic fans. The Men of Steel will face Odisha FC at Kalinga Stadium in their next encounter on September 28th.
