The win helped Chennaiyin FC to fifth place in the points table with 14 points from nine matches while Jamshedpur fell to the sixth spot with 13 points.
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Jamshedpur FC suffered only their second defeat of the season as they were beaten 1-0 by Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League fixture (ISL) at GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Sunday. Lukasz Gikiewicz’s first half headed goal from a set piece separated the two sides in a game that saw both sides being scrappy in front of goal. Jamshedpur, came into the match on the back of two draws had a chance to get level on points with leaders Mumbai City FC but Chennaiyin managed to squeeze out three points after two back-to-back defeats.
That first goal feeling! ?@gikiewiczlukasz helped @ChennaiyinFC to 3️⃣ very important points with his maiden #HeroISL goal! ?#JFCCFC #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/lQx0981mma
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 3, 2022
Jamshedpur FC started the match brightly as they created a number of chances in the opening 15 minutes. In the fifth minute, Seiminlen Doungel received a nice assist near the post from the left flank but the midfielder messed it up with his poor first touch before firing over the top. After that, both sides canceled each other out until Doungel’s foul on Jerry Lalrinzuala gave Chennaiyin a free-kick.
Vladimir Koman’s in-swinging free-kick from the left found Gikiewicz at the far post. The Polish striker headed home from six yards out to give Chennaiyin the lead. It was a poor piece of defending from Owen Coyle’s men as Narender Gahlot didn’t man-mark Gikiewicz very well and goalkeeper TP Rehenesh was also to be blamed for not coming out and collecting the ball.
Just before the break, Jamshedpur FC playmaker Greg Stewart set up Doungel on the right side of the penalty area, but the Indian winger’s shot was comfortably saved by Chennaiyin goalkeeper Debjit Majumder who had come in for Vishal Kaith.
Coyle’s men played out with more intent in the second half to get the goal and created several good chances. In the 63rd minute, Mirlan Murzaev tested Rehenesh from a free-kick, which was Chenaiyin’s only real threat after the break. Other than that, it was all about Jamshedpur’s attack versus Chennaiyin’s defence.
In the 72nd minute, Stewart’s brilliant footwork allowed him to create space and take a shot in between three Chennaiyin defenders inside the penalty area. But Debjit got down quickly to make a low save to his right. The danger wasn’t over as the ball wasn’t cleared properly and Jordan Murray’s effort from outside the box went over the bar.
In the last 10 minutes, JFC had two good opportunities to get on the scoresheet. Eight minutes from time, Murray sent in a perfect ball for substitute Ishan Pandita, in front of goal, but the former FC Goa striker missed a sitter from close range.
Few minutes later, Murray received a pass but hesitation in taking a shot at the first attempt from near the goal cost dearly. Meanwhile the Chennaiyin defense did a good job to keep a clean sheet after conceding seven goals in the last two games. Captain Anirudh Thapa was once again brilliant for the Marina Machans as he worked his socks off while newly signed central defender Sajid Dhot had a brilliant game.
With the win Chennaiyin rose to fifth place with 14 points from nine matches while Jamshedpur fell to the sixth place
