Hyderabad FC held to a 1-1 draw by Jamshedpur FC

Originally published in The Times of India on December 3, 2020

Hyderabad: Hyderabad FC was held to a 1-1 draw by Jamshedpur FC at Tilak Maidan Stadium despite being on top for the majority of the match.

Forward Aridane Santana scored an easy goal to give Hyderabad FC a 1-0 lead just past half-time. But a resilient Jamshedpur HC drew level five minutes before the end of regular time when defender Stephen Eze deposited a loose ball inside the goal.

Jamshedpur FC started on the front foot, setting up multiple spirited attacks. Jackichand Singh tried to set up Nerijus Valskis, who was dispossessed. Minutes later, Aitor Monroy delivered a free-kick inside the box, which was headed away by Hyderabad midfielder Joao Victor.

Hyderabad FC had their first shot of goal when they were awarded a free-kick in a threatening position, but Liston Colaco was only able to shoot over the crossbar. The Nizams stepped up their efforts, with Colaco and Mohammad Yasir trying to set up Aridane Santana, even as the final ball fell short on multiple occasions.

The game descended into a scrappy affair, with both sides struggling to retain the ball and build chances on goal. Jackichand threatened for the Men of Steel, after Laldinliana Renthlei set him up with a cutback, and Hyderabad keeper Kattimani made a fingertip save to keep the score 0-0.

Colaco put in a good defensive shift, continuously tracking back to foil Jamshedpur attacks. Halicharan Narzary nearly broke the deadlock shortly before half-time following a counter-attack, after hitting the far post from a narrow angle.

Jamshedpur came out all guns blazing in the second-half, with coach Owen Coyle slotting in forward Aniket Jadhav. But it was Hyderabad who drew first blood after Aridane pounced upon an error by Jamshedpur keeper Pawan Kumar, who dropped the ball after a shot from Narzary, allowing the Spaniard to drive the ball home from close range.

Ashish Rai had the chance to double Hyderabad’s lead minutes later, as he wasted a final ball from Colaco after being played outside the box. Valskis nearly equalized for Jamshedpur following a ball over the top from Laldinliana.

Hyderabad focused on defending their lead, with Jamshedpur unable to penetrate their strong defensive organization. They came close at the 70^th minute after a free kick from Isaac Vanmalsawma hit Aridane and rolled inside the box, but the goal was ruled out as Jamshedpur defender Peter Hartley was adjudged to be offside.

Hyderabad suffered a blow when Aridane was forced off the field ten minutes before the end of regular time due to a hamstring niggle.

Stephen Eze drew Jamshedpur level with Hyderabad as he blasted the ball past Kattimani in the 85^th minute, utilizing an empty ball inside the box.

The equalizer meant Hyderabad FC climbed to the 4^th position in the ISL table, even as Jamshedpur remained winless this season.