Bhubaneswar, January 10: Jamshedpur continued their excellent form in the RFDL into the AIFF Elite League as they registered a solid 2–0 away victory over FAO Academy Bhubaneswar, despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men, in an Under-18 Elite League encounter on Saturday.
Satyajit Das and Soumik Das were on target for the Young Men of Steel, who dominated proceedings from the opening whistle and controlled the tempo of the match throughout. Jamshedpur pressed high, created early chances and kept FAO pinned back for long spells.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Soumik Das, attempting a curling cross from the right flank, saw the ball sail into the net, giving Jamshedpur a deserved lead. The pressure continued to mount, and six minutes later, Lawmsangzuala (Mama) was fouled dangerously at the edge of the box while trying to dribble past the defence. FAO defender Manish Bhoi was shown a straight red card for the challenge, leaving the hosts a man down.
From the resulting free-kick, Satyajit Das produced a moment of quality, curling the ball into the top corner to double Jamshedpur’s advantage and firmly put the visitors in control.
Jamshedpur maintained their dominance in the second half, with Mama continuing to be a constant threat. One of his efforts rattled the post, while another one-on-one situation was kept out by the FAO goalkeeper. FAO Academy did create a rare opportunity at the other end, but they failed to capitalise.
The visitors managed the game well in the closing stages, seeing out the match comfortably to secure three valuable points on the road.
With this victory, Jamshedpur FC moved to the top of the AIFF Elite League table with 13 points from five matches, while Inter Kashi sit second with 12 points from six games. Jamshedpur will next face Ramakrishna Mission Football Academy, Narayanpur, in a home fixture at the Flatlets Ground on January 17.
