Substitute Rei Tachikawa produced a late winner as Jamshedpur FC staged a spirited comeback to defeat East Bengal FC 2-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.
In one of the most engaging fixtures of the season so far, Jamshedpur registered their third consecutive victory, overturning a first-half deficit to secure all three points away from home.
The visitors began with intent. Messi Bouli found the net early, only for the effort to be ruled offside. Vincy Barretto soon tested the goalkeeper with a strong run down the right, while Nikola Stojanovic tried his luck from distance after a neat attacking move. With Sanan Mohammed stretching play on the flank and Madih Talal orchestrating moves through midfield, Jamshedpur looked sharp in attack.
Despite their early dominance, it was East Bengal who struck first in the 41st minute through Edmund Lalrindika, forcing Jamshedpur to regroup before the interval.
The second half saw a determined response from the visitors. Stephen Eze produced a vital sliding clearance to prevent further damage and soon made his presence felt at the other end. After seeing a powerful header tipped away from a free kick, Eze rose highest from a corner in the 61st minute to head home the equaliser.
The game opened up as both sides pushed forward. Madih Talal and Messi Bouli came close for Jamshedpur, while goalkeeper Albino Gomes made a crucial intervention to keep the scores level.
With momentum shifting in their favour, Jamshedpur controlled possession in the closing stages. The decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute when Sanan Mohammed set up Rei Tachikawa, who curled a superb effort into the top far corner to silence the home crowd.
Jamshedpur held firm through seven minutes of added time to seal a memorable comeback victory in Kolkata.
They will next face Inter Kashi at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on March 6 at 7.30 pm.
Result: East Bengal FC 1 (Edmund Lalrindika 40’) lost to Jamshedpur FC 2 (Stephen Eze 61’, Rei Tachikawa 87’).
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