Sports: Bhubaneswar witnessed a dramatic conclusion to NorthEast United FC’s Kalinga Super Cup campaign as they succumbed to a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat against Jamshedpur FC in a gripping quarter-final clash at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.
The regulation time ended without any goals, a testament to the tactical fortitude displayed by both sides under the guidance of Khalid Jamil for NorthEast United. However, the ensuing penalty shootout proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, ultimately swinging in favor of Jamshedpur FC.
Early misses from the penalty spot by both teams intensified the tension, pushing the shootout into a nail-biting sudden death scenario. While Thoi Singh Huidrom offered a glimmer of hope for the Highlanders, Asheer Akhtar’s subsequent miss allowed Jamshedpur to regain the upper hand. Cool finishes from Ashutosh Mehta and Lazar Cirkovic finally sealed Jamshedpur’s passage into the semi-finals.
The preceding 90 minutes painted a picture of strategic caution, with both teams prioritizing a solid defensive structure. NorthEast United did create an early opportunity when Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s long-range free-kick tested Jamshedpur custodian Albino Gomes. Conversely, Jamshedpur’s attacking trio of Javier Hernandez, Javier Siverio, and Jordan Murray strived to breach the NorthEast defense, only to be thwarted by the vigilance of Gurmeet Singh in goal.
The second half mirrored the first, characterized by limited clear-cut chances and a series of tactical fouls that disrupted the game’s rhythm. Jithin MS came closest to breaking the deadlock for NorthEast United with a volley that narrowly missed the target. Ultimately, neither side could find the decisive goal, leading to the penalty shootout drama.
The penalty shootout saw Jordan Murray and Stephen Eze miss for Jamshedpur, while Guillermo Fernandez and Michel Zabaco faltered for NorthEast United in the initial rounds. Despite the heartbreak, Stephen Eze of Jamshedpur was recognized for his performance, receiving the Kalinga Player of the Match award from Dr Saswat Kumar Rout of the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha. Jamshedpur FC now advance to face Mumbai City FC in the semi-finals scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, at 8 PM IST.
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