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Wellington Priori scored a sublime overhead kick to give Jamshedpur FC a vital win over NorthEast United in Saturday's ISL fixture. The win takes Steve Coppell's men temporarily to third place on the points table.
The Highlanders looked set to spoil Jamshedpur's party with a spirited effort but it wasn't to be as the home side held on to secure three crucial points thus bolstering their hopes for a spot in the semi-finals. Here are the major talking point's from tonight's game.
#1 End to end start to an exciting game
With practically nothing but respect to play for, NorthEast United started the game without a care in the world. They looked calm and composed and sprayed the ball to all parts of the pitch.
Maic Sema and Marcinho displayed intent on creativity whenever they ventured forward. Jamshedpur, on the other hand, had a whole lot to play for. With a spot in the top 4 up for grabs, they played like a team under some pressure but that did not stop them from patiently building their attack every-time they got the opportunity to do so.
One thing common among both teams was the vast number of misplaced passes. With one trying to outdo the other, both teams also made multiple errors, especially in the middle of the park.
#2 Jamshedpur's hurried approach did more harm than good
The minute the referee blew the whistle, the home side had only one objective - score an early goal and calm their nerves. In their attempt to find an early opener, Jamshedpur looked far too hurried in their approach.
Usually calculated and composed, Steve Coppell's men displayed intent but without any kind of structure. They looked disorganized and it did more harm than good. Apart from Izu Azuka, every other Jamshedpur attacker seemed out of place and frustrated in the final third.
It didn't make for pretty viewing. In their pursuit for a goal in the first half, the men in red and blue lacked clarity in ideas and maturity. It was an extremely chaotic affair in the final third as they tried a tad too hard to find that elusive opener.
#3 Rowllin Borges a shadow of his former self
For a player who has already played a handful of games for the Indian national team, Rowllin Borges' decline has been rapid. From being a vital cog for the Highlanders, he has turned into a liability.
There is no doubt that the 25-year-old is a talented footballer. That he is not putting his talents to good use is criminal and shocking. Against Jamshedpur, Borges put his team in danger by losing the ball on multiple occasions inside his own half.
The NorthEast United midfielder was slow and always seemed hesitant on the ball, making numerous unforced errors. Usually composed, Rowllin panicked every-time he was hounded by Jamshedpur's players, thereby conceding possession.
He was once regarded as an important creative outlet for his team. None of that creativity was on show tonight. He will be keen to bounce back as soon as possible.
#4 Wellington Priori scores goal of the season
For the first 50 minutes of the match, Jamshedpur FC looked frustrated, tensed and clumsy. Their opponents, NorthEast United looked at ease and fluid. Things were not going according to plan for the home side but thankfully for them, the visitors did not make the most of their opportunities.
With the game deadlocked, something had to give in. Up stepped, Wellington Priori. The Brazilian scored the goal of the season with an outlandish overhead kick. Jamshedpur's new recruit expertly controlled Izu Azuka's long throw. With his marker tightly marking him, he then took a deft touch before unleashing a magical bicycle kick that looped over a hapless TP Rehenesh.
Over the course of the last couple of months, we've seen some amazing goals in the Indian Super League. But Priori's effort may well go down as the best of the lot. That overhead kick came out of nowhere as the home crowd went berserk.
#5 Jamshedpur earn massive boost for a spot in top 4
It wasn't pretty but at the end of 90 minutes, Jamshedpur FC got the job done against NorthEast United. In a game which was largely fluctuating like a ping pong ball between both ends, Wellington Priori produced a moment of magic to give his side all three points.
In doing so, Steve Coppell's men have massively boosted their chances for a spot in the semi-finals. They now have 25 points from 15 games. As it stands, Jamshedpur's fate lies in their own hands. Unlike other teams, they do not have to depend on anyone to secure their birth in the final four.
Matches against Bengaluru, Chennaiyin, and FC Goa await. It's not going to be easy but if there is one team who are capable of digging deep, it's Jamshedpur FC. Tonight, they were rewarded for continuing to persist when the tide was against them.
