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After that hard-earned late victory over Chennaiyin FC, Jamshedpur FC is now ready for their next challenge which will be facing the defending ISL champions ATK Mohun Bagan for the second time tonight. The Men of Steel are left with the final three games of the league stage and the Mariners will be the first one to go up against them after December 2020.
The two teams went toe-to-toe in the beginning of the 2020-21 season at the Tilak Maidan. It was a home match for Jamshedpur FC as they were back in action after an intense draw against Hyderabad FC. The fixture kicked-off with high energy and pace with both sides being offensive, aiming to get an early lead over the other, and just as the game was about to enter the half hour mark, Jamshedpur FC took the lead from a set-piece which they were working hard for; the hosts got a corner kick which was lobbed in by the set-piece taker, Aitor Monroy, into the crowd. Valskis saw the ball coming towards him, made a high leap and headed it on target. ATK Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya couldn’t make proper contact with the ball and it hit the top net.
The second half commenced with Jamshedpur FC having the advantage over ATK Mohun Bagan, who came with everything they had to get the equalising goal to get back in the game. But, all the attempts went in vain as they struggled to convert the opportunities. On the other hand, Jamshedpur gave another blow to ATK Mohun Bagan as Valskis doubled the lead, and his goal tally with a tap-in into the goal from another corner kick. The Men of Steel did the unimaginable and took a lead with 2 goals in their hand against a very attacking ATK Mohun Bagan. Just as the fixture looked like it would end with a final score of 2-0, the Fijian striker, Roy Krishna, netted a goal for the visitors after beating Rehenesh off the goalline, thus restoring hope in the ATK Mohun Bagan players. Regardless of the goal by Roy Krishna, the intense fixture ended with Jamshedpur breaking the undefeated record of ATK Mohun Bagan and snatching the three winning points.
Currently, Jamshedpur have positioned themselves at #6 after the previous game against Chennaiyin FC while ATK Mohun Bagan have established their place in the playoffs after being the second team in the top 4 to qualify after Mumbai City FC. They are currently placed at #2.
While the Mariners have already qualified for the playoffs this season, the outcome may not affect their position in the league, but on the other hand, Jamshedpur will aim to win this fixture and grab the three points to add pressure on the teams on top of them in order to qualify for the playoffs spots. With new forwards and midfielders signed by both clubs in the January transfer window, the game will be an intense offensive game. Just like the Head Coach, Owen Coyle said, “We have beaten them earlier in the season and we want to make sure we beat them again, because if we manage to do that, then it builds even more pressure on the teams above us in the table.”
Jamshedpur FC will be facing ATK Mohun Bagan tonight at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao at 7:30pm. Tune-in to Hotstar and Star Sports Network for the live telecast!
