ISL 2024-25: Jamshedpur Triumphs Over Kerala Blasters, Ascends to Fourth Place
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Jamshedpur, Dec 29 (NationPress) Jamshedpur FC claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Kerala Blasters FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex during the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 this evening. A second-half goal by Pratik Chaudhari marked the end of the Kochi-based team’s six-match unbeaten run against Jamshedpur FC.
With this victory, the Men of Steel climbed four spots in the standings, advancing from eighth to fourth place, now holding 21 points from 12 matches.
The Kerala Blasters FC took time to find their rhythm, with their first notable chance arising from a brilliant effort by Noah Sadaoui in the 30th minute.
Naocha Singh initiated a direct play, sending a long ball to Noah at the edge of the box. After controlling the ball with a skillful first touch, he had two options: sprint ahead for a left-footed cross or cut inside the box. Instead, he delivered a creative cross using the outside of his boot for Kwame Peprah in the center. Despite having time, Peprah’s header went high and wide of the target.
Just four minutes later, Javi Hernandez wasted a golden opportunity, failing to finish a move he initiated with a clever pass from the center. Hernandez set up Rei Tachikawa, who relayed it to Imran Khan on the right. Imran sent in a cross for Jordan Murray, but Sachin Suresh intercepted it. The goalkeeper’s failure to clear allowed Hernandez to attempt a right-footed shot from the middle of the box, but it lacked power and was easily saved.
Kerala Blasters FC started the second half aggressively, with Naocha nearly scoring in the 53rd minute with a powerful shot from outside the box after receiving a pass from Noah. It took a diving save from Albino Gomes to keep the shot from finding the bottom left corner.
The breakthrough for Jamshedpur FC came in the 61st minute when Pratik Chaudhari scored with a powerful shot. The Kerala Blasters FC struggled to clear a cross, allowing Chaudhari to seize the loose ball and score in the bottom left corner, marking only his third-ever ISL goal and his first since December 2021. Following this goal, Kerala Blasters FC have not kept a clean sheet in away matches for an entire calendar year, having played 14 away games during this time.
Seiminlen Doungel substituted for Imran in the 72nd minute, making some notable attempts from distance in the 80th and 88th minutes. Unfortunately, both shots were off target, but they pushed Kerala Blasters FC back in the final 15 minutes.
Jamshedpur FC's next match is against Bengaluru FC on January 4, while Kerala Blasters FC will face Punjab FC on January 5.
