UditVani, Jamshedpur : Jamshedpur FC stormed into their first-ever Kalinga Super Cup final with a gritty and historic 1-0 win over Mumbai City FC at the Kalinga Stadium.
After three successive semifinal exits, JFC finally broke the barrier thanks to a late wonder strike from Rei Tachikawa in the 87th minute.
The semifinal clash was a tense tactical affair, with Jamshedpur asserting dominance in possession and crafting the clearer chances.
Stephen Eze thought he had opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a powerful header from a set-piece, but celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
JFC remained persistent, and Jordan Murray forced a save from TP Rehenesh in the 31st minute following a pinpoint cross from Tachikawa. Mumbai City struggled to create openings against a compact and disciplined Jamshedpur defence.
The second half saw JFC ramp up the pressure. A bouncing header from Siverio was calmly claimed by Rehenesh, but the real action unfolded around the hour mark. Sanan dazzled down the left, teeing up Eze who struck the post.
Shortly after, Pronay Halder’s long-range effort was tipped onto the bar, while Javi Hernández had a close-range shot blocked amidst calls for a penalty.
The decisive moment arrived late in the game. After a failed clearance from a Sanan cross, the ball dropped invitingly for Tachikawa outside the area. The Japanese playmaker made no mistake, sending a low thunderbolt into the net to ignite celebrations among the Jamshedpur faithful.
JFC expertly saw out the final minutes, thwarting Mumbai’s desperate attempts to equalise. The full-time whistle marked a landmark achievement for the Men of Steel, who not only reached their first Super Cup final but also completed a season hat-trick over Mumbai City.
Jamshedpur FC will now face FC Goa in the grand finale on May 3 at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium.
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टेलीग्राम पर भी उपलब्ध है। यहां क्लिक करके आप सब्सक्राइब कर सकते हैं।