Welcome to Sportstar's highlights of the 2022 Durand Cup clash between Jamshedpur FC and Bengaluru FC being played at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
This was Neeladri Bhattacharjee bringing you the minute-by-minute updates of this high-voltage clash. Follow the details for the next match HERE. Thanks for tuning into this space and take very good care of yourselves.
MATCH REPORT: Chhetri, Krishna guide Bengaluru to a 2-1 win over Jamshedpur
Jamshedpur is playing five of its players close to the box as it looks to cut the slender lead. Bengaluru FC, on the other hadn, is desperate to run down the clock
A set piece attempt by Bengaluru FC sees Parag deliver a cross from the right, but Namgyal fails to capitalise on it as the ball falls for Udanta. He is surrounded and he kicks it back to Gurpreet.
Chance! Kojam’s free kick is headed in by Rishi, but the ball just rubs off the goal post.
Roy Krishna gets the ball in the final third, but there is no other BFC player around him as he loses the ball eventually. Faisal gets possession back from JFC and crosses for Krishna, but it is too high
Time for a water break! The referee stops play temporarily as the teams regroup before the final 15 minutes of the match.
Jamshedpur tries to play using a long ball approach, but Jovanovic stands as a pillar at the back and clears the ball from in front of the box.
Bengaluru FC is now playing its cards carefully with five men at the back now as Aryan Sonowal and Piyush Thakur push along both the flanks.
Chance! Udanta storms into the box with a run along the right and crosses for Sunil Chhetri who was waiting in front of the JFC keeer. Kojam Beyong, however, gets to the ball first and steals another opportunity for Bengaluru FC to score.
Bengaluru FC has eight players high up the pitch as Suresh gets to a cross from Roy Krishna on the left, but his header is too high, as the ball flies over the net.
Chance! Udanta makes a run along the right flank and crosses for two white shirts approaching the box. But his cross is missed by Leon as BFC continues to attack.
Vinil Poojary gets the ball in the midfield and tries to deliver a through ball for Piyush Thakur on the right. But he overhits it as the ball goes out for a BFC throw.
Nikhil Poojary goes for goal with a header from the set-piece, but it is saved by Gurpreet. The corner that follows does not pose any danger for the India international this time as Bengaluru remains ahead at the moment.
Corner Kick! Another corner kick by Prabir Das from the right, but this time JFC clears the ball and Jamshedpur goes on attack, with Piyush Thakur making a run along the right, but his cross is cleared for a JFC corner by Alan.
Kojam Beyong tries to stop Leon from a run along the left flank, but ends up fouling the Bengaluru FC player and the referee calls for a quick break. Time for both teams to regroup and evaluate their strategies.
Prabir and Danish pair up to create a chance along the right side of the midfield. The latter delivers an aerial ball for Sunil Chhetri, who fails to land the ball to his feet for a shot and Jamshedpur takes back possession.
Prabir Das takes the corner kick, which is cleared initially, but the ball is delivered back into the box. Sunil heads it to to Alan and Mohit comes to JFC’s rescue to punch the ball away.
Kojam Beyong tries to push up front for Jamshedpur FC, but the Indian Super League with Simon Grayson in its side is domintaing the game at the moment as BFC earns a corner kick on the other side.
Vikash gets the ball back in control for Jamshedpur and Piyush tries to carry the ball along the left wing. Eventually, he loses after a miss as BFC gets a goal kick
Bengaluru FC continues a similar approach as it has throughout in the match so far -- presa high and attack. Udanta Singh goes for attack and the aerial ball that follows is cleared by JFC.
Danish Farooq tries another run into thebox, but Jamshedpur is laying back at the moment.
Prabir Das makes a run along the left wing, cuts to his right, but the final shot ends wide off target.
Bengaluru FC starts in white from left to right, while Jamshedpur starts in its home kit of red-and-blue from the other side.
We are very excited to be here. I know that it is one of the most important tournaments in India and Asia also. We are fully motivated and the boys will do their best on the pitch.
— JFC coach Carlos Santamarina before the match
Wishing Jamshedpur FC; All the best for the Durand Cup. Jam ke Khelo Jamshedpur
— Eli Sabia, Jamshedpur first team defender
If you are in Kolkatam or Guwahati or Imphal, come and watch. Live football is the best. If you cannot, you can switch on the tele, on the OTT platforms. First time in along time, all of us are playing the Durand Cup.
— Sunil Chhetri ahead of Bengaluru FC’s first match
Bengaluru FC Head Coach Simon Grayson will take charge of his side for the first time as it takes on Jamshedpur FC in its opening encounter of the 2022 Durand Cup, at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, in Kolkata, on Wednesday. The Blues are making their third appearance at the Durand Cup, having previously bowed out of the tournament at the quarterfinal (2014) and semifinal (2021) stages.
“We’re really excited to take part in a competition that has a rich history and tradition associated with it. This is a part of our pre-season preparation, ahead of the Indian Super League, but we want to give a good account of ourselves.
Playing the Durand Cup means our season will take place over a longer period this year, and we will have to make sure that we strike a right balance to maintain the fitness of all our players through the campaign,” said Grayson, ahead of the encounter.
RELATED | Chhetri, Krishna and Jhingan feature as Bengaluru FC announces Durand Cup 2022 squad
Bengaluru’s squad for the Durand Cup includes new signings Prabir Das, Roy Krishna, Sandesh Jhingan, Javi Hernandez, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Hira Mondal, Amrit Gope and Faisal Ali, who are also part of the group of players that arrived in Kolkata on Sunday.
“We have some exciting new players and a group of really good youngsters who have come through the Academy as well. We want them to play together for as many minutes as possible, so that they can gel well and get to understand each other in a competitive environment,” added Grayson.
Jamshedpur FC, led by Youth Team coach Carlos Santamarina, is set to field a team comprising youngsters, including India U20 goalkeeper Mohit Singh Dhami, who most recently won the U20 SAFF Championship, in Bhubaneswar.
ALSO READ | Jamshedpur FC decides to field reserve squad for Durand Cup 2022
“We’re aware that Jamshedpur FC and some other teams have registered a development squad for this tournament. We did the same last year and our youngsters did exceptionally well. We want to approach this tournament with our first team as it gives us an opportunity to be ready for what is going to be a tough season,” Grayson added.
