Jamshedpur FC notched up its maiden win of the Indian Super League with a 1-0 victory over struggling Delhi Dynamos here on Wednesday.
Nigerian forward Izu Azuka struck in the 60th minute to score ISL newcomer Jamshedpur’s first goal of the season which proved the winning margin for his side’s first win after three goalless draws on the trot.
Dynamos’ defeat was its third in a row after having begun the season with a 3-2 win over FC Pune City in an away match. This was its second consecutive loss at home after its 2-0 defeat to North East United.
Despite concerns of poor quality of air in New Delhi, Wednesday was one of the better days in terms of pollution and the focus was on football. But the 8000-odd crowd who turned up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium must have returned disappointed at the show of the home side.
Lacklustre
Neither side could find a way to score in the first half; each team had just one shot on target. Dynamos had over 60 percent possession but it didn’t have much to show for it except a disallowed goal. Jamshedpur, barring one good run from Siddharth Singh, had nothing noteworthy to show either.
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In the 13th minute, Dynamos captain Kalu Uche was able to find the back of Jamshedpur net off a free-kick by Paulinho Dias but he was ruled off-side to the dismay of the home crowd. Eight minute later, it was the turn of Jamshedpur to have a shy at the Dynamos goal. Bikash Jairu darted down the left channel and he had Izu Azuka running on his right.
But Jairu’s square pass was played a little behind Azuka who nonetheless managed to get a shot just wide of the near post.
Pulling ahead
The second half was more action-filled. Jamshedpur was clearly the better side after the break and it was handed a golden chance to take the lead in the 57th minute. Pratik Chowdhary brought down Azuka inside the box just moments before the Jamshedpur forward was about to release a shot at the goal. A penalty kick was awarded but Andre Bikey made a horrible effort from the spot and Dynamos keeper Albino Gaomes dived to his right to stop the weak shot.
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But the visitor did not need to wait for long for its first goal of the season as Azuka headed home at the stroke of the hour mark off a free kick. Mehtab Hossain took the free kick and curled it in right in the middle of the box, where Azuka made his run. Nobody picked him up and the Jamshedpur forward connected it with his head after a good leap, beating the keeper Subrata Paul comfortably.
Dynamos applied pressure in the closing stages of the match but its forwards were toothless and the midfield lacked creativity. The team rarely threatened the Jamshedpur goal.
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