ISL 2020-21: SC East Bengal survive late scare to beat Jamshedpur FC

Vipin Pawar / Sportzpics for ISL

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SC East Bengal beat Jamshedpur FC 2-1 in Sunday's early kick off at the Fatorda.

While SCEB moved up one place to ninth on the table JFC's hopes of making the ISL playoffs were dealt another blow, the result leaving them seventh, four points behind the playoff places..

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Goals from Matti Steinmann (6') and Anthony Pilkington (68') secured the victory for SCEB. A late goal from Peter Hartley (83') proved to be a mere consolation for Jamshedpur.

East Bengal got off to the best start possible with Steinmann putting them ahead in the sixth minute. It came of a superbly whipped in Narayan Das corner, which Steinmann glanced in across the face of the goal.

Owen Coyle's men had scored just one goal from open play in their previous four encounters, and the sluggish play continued here. Whatever moves that their midfielders were able to string together ended abruptly in the final third with Jamshedpur's attackers unable to get into good positions. SCEB dominated possession, defended well, and thoroughly outplayed their opponents in the first half - one where Jamshedpur had zero shots on target. Nerijus Valskis, in particular, cut a frustrated figure often dropping down into midfield in search of the ball.

SCEB started the second half as they had the first, with a freekick in a dangerous area. Steinmann again lost his marker and got into a good position but missed the ball by a whisker. The next big chance fell to Narayan, who was played in on the left flank. He sprinted towards the Jamshedpur goal before forcing a fine save from keeper TP Rehenesh.

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While East Bengal was dominating proceedings, Jamshedpur nearly found a goal against the run of play in the 63rd minute. After being fed by Farukh Choudhary on the left, Valskis unleashed a shot that bounced off the upright.

Jamshedpur were soon left ruing that miss as SCEB found a second goal. Steinmann turned creator this time, finding Pilkington with a pinpoint through ball and the Englishman finished powerfully from close range.

Pilkington came close to scoring again, finding the woodwork in the 79th minute. But it was Jamshedpur who got the next goal with Hartley heading in Isaac Vanmalsawma's cross. While this set up a period of intense JFC pressure, SCEB held on to take all three points.

East Bengal next play Hyderabad on Feb 12 as they look to string together an unlikely push for the playoffs, while Jamshedpur take on Chennaiyin on the Feb 10 with both teams looking to salvage their season.