Ritwik Das helps Jamshedpur snatch a rare win with a late goal against East Bengal

The search for East Bengal to notch their first home win in the 2022-23 ISL season continued as Jamshedpur beat them 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Friday. Ritwik Das’ goal in the 85th minute of the game proved to be the difference between the two sides. 

East Bengal started the game in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Suvam Sen donned the gloves while Ankit Mukherjee, Lalchungnunga, Ivan Gonzalez, and Sarthak Golui formed the back four. Mobashir Rahman and Charalambos Kyriakou played as the two defensive midfielders ahead of them with the trio of VP Suhair, Alex Lima, and Naorem Mahesh Singh providing support to the lone striker Cleiton Silva. 

Vishal Yadav kept a watch under the sticks for Jamshedpur in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Ricky Lallawmawma, Eli Sabia, Pratik Chaudhari, and Laldinliana Renthlei played as the four defenders. Ritwik Das, Pronay Halder, PC Laldinpuia, and Boris Thangjam played in the midfield as Rafael Crivellaro played as the support striker to Daniel Chima Chukwu. 

Jamshedpur got the first chance of the game when Boris Singh’s cross looped over everyone to find Daniel Chukwu inside the box. The Nigerian towered above his marker but his header flew inches above the crossbar in the 10th minute. 

Naorem Mahesh Singh cut past his marker in the left flank and unleashed a low shot from inside the box. The initial shot was palmed away by Vishal Yadav but Cleiton Silva stuck out his boot to help the ball cross the goal line. East Bengal took the lead in the 12th minute although the replays suggested that the Brazilian was offside. 

Jamshedpur nearly found the equalizer in the 13th minute when Daniel Chima Chukwu fired a scorching strike from outside the box. But, Ivan Gonzalez came up with a crucial block. It was time for Boris to take a shot at goal from inside the box five minutes later but his effort hit the side netting. 

Rafael Crivellaro, too, took a shot at goal but Ivan Gonzalez’s timely block prevented the ball from bulging the net. The half-time scoreline read 1-0 in favor of East Bengal. 

Jamshedpur coach Aidy Boothroyd rang in three changes in the 58th minute by bringing in Ishan Pandita, Germanpreet Singh, and Harry Sawyer in place of Boris, Laldinpuia, and Chukwu. 

In the 61st minute, Laldinliana Renthlei swung in a low cross from the right flank and Mobashir Rahman made a costly error to deflect it onto the path of Pronay Halder rather than clearing it. The latter passed the ball towards Ishan Pandita, who took a shot from distance. Although Suvam initially saved the shot, the ricochet fell kindly to the path of Harry Sawyer who made no mistake in slotting the ball home. 

East Bengal substitute Jerry Lalrinzuala made a lung-bursting run in the 64th minute and played a pass towards Alex Lima. The latter tried his best to find Cleiton but Ricky extended his legs to clear the danger. Jamshedpur nearly took the lead in the 68th minute when Ritwik came up with an acrobatic effort from close range. However, Jerry made a goal-line clearance to keep the scoreline level. 

Cleiton beat the goalkeeper on the far side and attempted a tame shot in an empty net in the 69th minute. But, Pratik Chaudhari covered up in a timely fashion to prevent the goal. Crivellaro’s free-kick from outside the box nearly angled into the goal but Ivan positioned himself perfectly to head the ball away in the 77th minute. 

Jamshedpur’s patience was finally rewarded in the 85th minute when Laldinliana Renthlei’s cross from the right flank was headed home by Ritwik Das at the far post. Jamshedpur won the game 2-1 and ended their ten-match winless streak. 

The Red Miners will next face Bengaluru after a very short break at home on Wednesday. With 9 points from 14 matches, things don’t look much bright for the League Shield Winners who currently occupy the tenth spot. 

East Bengal, on the other hand, will lock horns with second-placed Hyderabad on Friday. With 12 points from 13 matches and sitting in the ninth spot, every point is crucial for the Red and Gold Brigade if they want to qualify for the playoffs.