Jamshedpur FC made its way back to the play-off zone by prevailing 2-1 over a spirited Delhi Dynamos in an Indian Super League match here at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Wednesday.
A goal each from Tim Cahill and Farukh Choudhary helped the host pick up its third win at home and fourth overall to better its position in the current standings. Delhi had found the lead early in the opening half through Lallianzuala Chhangte but failed to preserve it for long.
Jamshedpur edged out FC Goa (17 points from 10 matches) from the fourth spot to tally 19 points from 12 matches. Suffering its seventh defeat of the tournament, Delhi continued at the bottom of the table with four points.
Fast start
Delhi was quick to get off the blocks from the start. Adria Carmona was unlucky to find his powerful drive from around 22 yards rattling the crossbar in the opening minute. Subrata Paul, the celebrated JFC goalkeeper, was completely beaten as Carmona sneaked on the edge of the host’s box for the attempt. Delhi suffered a blow in the 14th minute when Carmona was stretched off after picking up an injury.
Continuing to attack, Delhi got rewarded for its efforts in the 25th minute when Narayan Das essayed the ball square from the left to Mihelic. The Slovenian midfielder helped the ball along to find Chhangte, whose left-footed drive sent the ball past Paul.
Delhi's achilles heel
As has been the problem with Delhi in the tournament so far, it failed to preserve the lead by letting JFC find the equaliser four minutes later. Awakened by the setback, the host pressed for the leveller and found the target off a set-piece in the 29th minute. Tim Cahill, the Australian legend, got his second goal of the tournament when he nodded home a corner from Carlos Calvo.
The host took control of the action after the break and made the most of another corner which was cleared onto to the path of Farukh at the top of the box. The JFC striker let fly his attempt into the top corner giving Dehli goalkeeper Albino Gomes no chance to save.
Delhi was again unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty after the goal. In the 70th minute, Jamshedpur defender Robin Gurung clearly appeared to have handled the ball inside the box as Delhi's midfield substitute S. Nandhakumar tried to get past him. As referee ignored a strong plea for a penalty from the visitor, the loose ball fell to Andrija Kaludjerovic whose attempt was cleared by Paul.
Delhi coach Josep Gombau felt his team was denied a genuine penalty, which if given would have changed the course of the game.
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