A goal each in stoppage time ensured a thrilling end to the Thursday night game at the GMC Athletic Stadium between Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC. The former won, but only after Ishan Pandita came off the bench to score a 93rd-minute winner.
The Highlanders’ poor form continued; they have now lost two of their last three and three of their last five matches in the Indian Super League and are second-bottom in the table.
Despite their recent struggles, NorthEast United started the game on the front foot and took the lead after just four minutes played. A pass into space by Mobashir Rahman was latched onto by the in-form Deshorn Brown and the forward slotted the ball into the corner from a tight angle.
It took Jamshedpur a while to find their feet, but they grew into the game as the half progressed. Eventually, a move combining Jordan Murray and Greg Stewart bore fruit, the result of which was a save by the goalkeeper and, subsequently, a free-kick to the Red Miners on the left flank.
Stewart curled in a cross from the ensuing set-piece, which an unmarked Murray headed past Mirshad Michu for the equalizer.
Some incredibly poor defending by the NEUFC backline allowed Jamshedpur to take the lead in the 56th minute. A cut-back across the box by Murray dodged everyone and found its way to Boris Singh Thangjam at the back post, which the youngster tapped in for the go-ahead goal.
Murray nearly doubled Jamshedpur’s lead minutes later, capitalizing on yet another defensive error by centre-back Patrick Flottmann, but the defender got back to clear his effort off the line.
Drama ensued in stoppage time when Brown raced onto a pass, rounded goalkeeper Pawan Kumar, and tapped the ball into an empty net for the equalizing goal. Moments later, however, a long ball into the opposite box pinballed between bodies before falling kindly for substitute Ishan Pandita, who smashed home the winner for Jamshedpur from close range.
