Bengaluru hold high-flying Jamshedpur to a 0-0 stalemate
Bengaluru secured their second consecutive draw as they held out a high-flying Jamshedpur to a 0-0 stalemate at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Monday.
It was a high-intensity clash with both sides trying to bag all three points but the elusive goal was not on the cards despite the fans of both sides satisfied with a very entertaining goalless draw.
After the 4-0 win against Odisha, the Jamshedpur head coach Owen Coyle would have wanted to field an unchanged line-up but made a forced change as Jordan Murray led the line in absence of talisman Nerijus Valskis as the Lithuanian goal-machine picked up a knock in training ahead of the crucial tie.
On the other hand, the Blues head coach Marco Pezzaiouli tweaked his starting XI as Ashique Kuruniyan slotted in for suspended Roshan Singh in defense while Udanta Singh replaced the suspended defender taking up a role in the front three. Suresh Singh Wangjam returned from suspension straight into the starting XI as Jayesh Rane made way for the youngster.
Bengaluru started the game on the front foot with Udanta Singh threatening the Red Miners defense time and again down the left flank. The India international missed an easy tap in early on and then made a darting run to drill in a precise cross but none of his teammates were anticipating the delivery.
Around the 14-minute mark, Alex Lima almost scored the decisive goal as the Brazilian midfielder waltzed his way past multiple defenders with ease but failed to keep his shot on target.
As has often been the case this season, this game had its fair share of controversial refereeing decisions as well. In the 35th-minute, Bengaluru defender Parag Shrivas tried to stop what could have been a dangerous move and brought Komal Thatal down in the box but Jamshedpur’s penalty appeals fell on deaf ears leaving Coyle fuming on the touchline.
Three minutes later, Pezzaiouli’s team got their best chance of the first half when an inch-perfect ball from the left flank by Kuruniyan found Silva unmarked in space between two defenders. The Brazilian striker did well to keep his header on target but Jamshedpur custodian TP Rehenesh pulled off a fantastic save to keep the scores level.
The second half saw Jamshedpur taking control of the midfield with the Stewart-Lima duo troubling the Blues defense with their quick movements and crisp one-touch passing. The former Rangers forward pulled the trigger ambitiously in the 69th minute only to see his effort being saved by Bengaluru keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Sunil Chhetri almost scored the winner for Bengaluru
Pezzaiouli’s decision to replace Silva with Sunil Chhetri was surprising as the former Muangthong United player was one of Bengaluru’s better players on the evening. However, the bold call almost paid dividends in the 84th minute when a Kuruniyan freekick found the Indian skipper in the box and Chhetri did well to meet the ball but his header struck the crossbar extending his goal drought.
The cagey draw takes Jamshedpur to the second spot behind Mumbai City, with 12 points from 7 matches. On the other hand, despite two consecutive draws, the 2018-19 ISL champions continue to struggle at tenth place in the 2021-22 Indian Super League standings with 6 points to their account from 8 outings.
Bengaluru’s next match against Chennaiyin is scheduled for next Thursday after a 10-day break while the Red Miners will lock horns with Kerala Blasters on Sunday.