(Football news) Jamshedpur FC showed grit and determination to defeat NorthEast United 3-2 thanks to a winning goal by Jordan Murray at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Friday. The Red Miners took the lead through Seiminlen Doungel (35th) and Greg Stewart doubled the advantage in the 59th minute. However, NorthEast United scored two goals in a space of two minutes through Laldanmawia Ralte (59th) and Marcelinho (67th). The result means Jamshedpur FC just need one point to reach a semifinal berth as they are now on 34 points from 17 matches. As for NorthEast United, they are rooted to 10th place  with 13 points from 19 games.

The match had an entertaining start as Mirshad Michu collided with Daniel Chima Chukwu inside the box, prompting the Red Miners to appeal for a penalty. Jamshedpur FC used the width of the pitch to great effect and the in-form Nigerian striker Chukwu caused many problems to the NorthEast United defenders. Owen Coyle’s team finally broke the deadlock after the cooling break from a Ricky Lallawmawma throw-in as Mobashir Rahman found Doungel with a brilliant cross and the striker calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net. The first half ended with Jamshedpur FC with a 1-0 lead but captain Peter Hartley was forced to be substituted for Narender Gahlot after picking up a knock.

Khalid Jamil also made a change as Marco Sahanek was substituted for Marcelinho as NorthEast United looked for an equaliser. However, it was Jamshedpur FC who struck yet again to double their advantage as Greg Stewart increased his goal tally to 10 after making a darting run in the right flank and dinking the ball past Mirshad Michu. It seemed like cruise control for Jamshedpur FC but NorthEast United pulled two goals in a space of two minutes to get back into the game. Laldanmawia Ralte opened the scoring from a rebound when Marcelinho’s shot was parried by T.P Rehenesh. One minute later, Marcelinho ran at Jamshedpur FC defenders and rounded off Rehenesh to find the back of the net.

However, Jamshedpur FC didn’t give up and eventually scored the winner through Jordan Murray who came in as a replacement for Chima in the 75th minute and took advantage of a dinked pass by Stewart to find the back of the net acrobatically, just five minutes before the full time whistle. The Red Miners will take on Hyderabad FC in their next match on Tuesday, 1st March at the GMC Athletic Stadium while NorthEast United will take on SC East Bengal at the Tilak Maidan on Monday, 28th February.

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