Indian Army Football Team Stuns Jamshedpur FC with Dramatic Comeback

The Indian Army Football Team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Jamshedpur FC, overturning a 2-0 half-time deficit to advance to the Durand Cup quarter-finals. Key tactical changes and a stunning comeback in the second half underlined the Army's resilience and strategic prowess.

The Indian Army Football Team (FT) pulled off a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex stadium, booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup. The Red Miners seemed to have secured the game, leading 2-0 at halftime courtesy of their Spanish striker Javier Siverio.

However, the Army men had other plans, scoring three times in a span of 14 minutes in the second half. This victory catapulted them to their second consecutive Durand Cup quarter-finals as Group D toppers, maintaining a perfect win record. Jamshedpur FC finished second with two wins from three games and now await other group results to see if they can qualify as one of the two best second-placed teams.

Both coaches, Khalid Jamil of Jamshedpur and Manish Wahi of the Army, made significant changes to their starting 11 from previous games, signaling the fierce competition for the top group spot. Jamil started key foreign signings Rei Tachikawa and Javier Siverio, while Wahi brought in top striker Liton Sil. Both teams began aggressively, with keepers from both sides called into action early on. The game turned when Siverio converted a penalty, giving Jamshedpur a 1-0 lead, followed by another goal just before halftime.

Despite trailing 2-0, the Army team showed tremendous resilience. They managed to break through in the 70th minute when substitute Bikash Thapa set up Rahul Ramakrishnan for a goal. This ignited a rally that saw Rahul providing an assist for Alan Thapa's equalizer. The decisive moment came when Bikash Thapa scored the winner following a chaotic sequence in Jamshedpur's half. This victory exemplifies the tenacity and strategic mindset that has driven the Army team to success in the Durand Cup.

(With inputs from agencies.)