Kerala and Jamshedpur will lock horns in the post-Republic-Day clash of the Indian Football League 2020-21. Both sides are sitting in the bottom four and they desperately need a win here.
Match Timings: Dec 27, 7:30 PM IST
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Jamshedpur’s late downfall saw themselves in the bottom four and the pursuit of the playoff is looking tough for the Red Miners. They are coming off a goalless draw with Hyderabad in Vasco da Gama. Hyderabad had better chances starting from the first half but they couldn’t grab those opportunities. Stephen Eze put his team under pressure as center-back. TP Rehenesh also made fine saves to deny Hyderabad any goal. Len Doungel and Farukh Choudhary tried few crosses but Hyderabad kept its defense tight. The second half was also average in forward-line and both sides couldn’t draw any attention.
In the 74th minute, Jamshedpur appealed for a penalty when Aitor Monroy’s corner-kick hit the under-arm of Chinglensana Singh but the referee didn’t allow a penalty. Jamshedpur also got a shot on target in the 88th minute. Nerijus Valskis headed a shot on target through a Farukh Choudhary cross but Laxmikant Kattimani saved it. Both teams had to settle for a point and it hurt Jamshedpur more as they slipped to the bottom four. Last week, Red Miners signed Farukh Chaudhary and brought on Seimenlen Doungel on loan from Goa. Winger Jackichand Singh has joined Mumbai as part of the swap deal involving Farukh. Red Miners have a good chance to eye three points to reach the fifth spot.
Meanwhile, Kerala achieved its form this month and Vicuna has reformed the side for a winning approach. They are unbeaten from the last four matches and picked eight points from a possible 12. After an injury-time victory against Bengaluru, Kerala held Goa for a 1-1 draw. Both sides had good chances early in the first half. Gaurs took the lead with a strike in the 25th minute when a deflection from Sahal Abdul Samad helped Jorge Ortiz Mendoza's free-kick to go past Albino Gomes. Goa had the advantage of one goal going into the half-break. Kerala started the second half on a decent note and it proved worthy.
In the 57th minute, Rahul KP scored from a corner to equalise the scoreline. Rahul’s performance has boosted Kerala’s hopes. He also netted a late-winner against Bengaluru to bag three points for Kerala. Vicuna will also look back at Gary Hooper who was the prolific player since his signing but the English striker didn’t live up to the expectations. He could have found his name on the scoresheet in the second half but he didn’t do justice with the opportunity. Hooper’s performance will be key for the yellow outfit. The last outing went in favour of Kerala when they faced Jamshedpur in Tilak Maidan.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Kerala
Albino Gomes (GK), Sandeep Singh, Jeakson Singh, Bakary Kone, Denechandra Meetei, Vicente Gomez, Rahul KP, Sahal Abdul Samad, Juande, Facundo Pereyra, Gary Hooper
Current form: W D D W L
Previous match: 1-1 draw with Goa
Jamshedpur
TP Rehenesh; Narender Gahlot, Ricky Lallawmawma, Peter Hartley, Stephen Eze, Aitor Monroy, Amarjit Singh, Farukh Chaudhary, Nerijus Valskis, David Grande, Aniket Jadhav
Current form: D L L L W
Previous match: goalless draw with Hyderabad
Key Players
Kerala
Jordan Murray
6 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Rahul KP
3 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Jamshedpur
Nerijus Valskis
8 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Stephen Eze
3 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
