Weltnachrichten – AU – ISL 2020-21: Valskis’ double blows give Jamshedpur victory over ATK Mohun Bagan

A fine bracket from Nerijus Valskis ensured that FC Jamshedpur scored their first win of the current seventh season of the Indian Super League (ISL) beat the early pacemakers ATK Mohun Bagan here at Tilak Maidan on Monday Stage with 2: 1.

Valskis (30 ‘, 66’) scored in both halves for Owen Coyle’s side, while Krishna scored a late goal for ATKMB. The result also meant that ATKMB’s perfect run in the campaign came to an end after the defeat.

Jamshedpur made two changes to his side that resulted in a 1-1 draw with Hyderabad FC.

Owen Coyle gave William Lalnunfela a first start while goalkeeper TP Rehenesh was back on the side after being suspended.

Eduardo Garcia, Brandon Inman and Glan Martins all started for ATK Mohun Bagan when coach Antonio Habas made three changes to his side that defeated Odisha FC. Despite fresh legs, the Mariners got off to a lackluster start.

The sailing did not go smoothly for Jamshedpur either, as ATKMB threatened them with counter-attacks. But JFC’s resilience and strength prevailed and that helped them take the lead after half an hour through Nerijus Valskis.

JFC’s first real chance came early in the first quarter, but Mohammad Mobashir saw his shot hardly worry Arindam Bhattacharja. Both teams attacked at will, but it was the home team that had their best time after half an hour and won a number of corners.

Coyle’s men should have been in 29. Almost took the lead when Peter Hartley was well connected to Aitor Monroy’s corner in the minute, but the Englishman’s header was cleared off the line by Pritam Kotal, who was eventually pushed for another corner.

The resulting corner led to a goal. This time it was Valskis who peeled off his marker with a strong header to guide Monroy’s flag push, which proved too strong for Bhattacharja.

ATKMB were fortunate enough to be no more than 1-0 behind at break when Bhattacharja was forced to make a save to deny Valskis his second.

Coyle’s side was ready to have no slip-ups. Although ATKMB got stronger in the second half, JFC kept things tight in defense, with goalkeeper TP Rehenesh keeping them in the game.

ATKMB had some chances to equalize, but Rehenesh was best able to deny Krishna at close range by throwing his body on the line and later diving at full stretch to save Glan Martin’s long-range shot.

JFC doubled their lead in 66. Minute and it was Valskis who came back on the scorers list. The goal came again from a set piece when Monroy scored a perfect corner, which Rahman scored. Valskis lunged for the ball and hit it 2-0 into the roof of the net.

After 10 minutes, Roy Krishna withdrew a goal for the visitors. Substitute Manvir Singh threw the ball to Krishna, who was lurking in the penalty area, and the Fijian rounded off the goalkeeper to score his fourth goal in as many games. There have been claims for offside JFC, although reruns suggested it. The linesman held his flag low so that the target remained.

While ATK desperately tried to level the game, JFC defended vigorously to claim their first win of the season. (ANI)

Jamshedpur FC, Indian Super League, Mohun Bagan A. . C.. . , ATK, Nerijus Valskis