Jamshedpur FC Vs NorthEast United, ISL Highlights: JFC 0-2 NEUFC; Ajaraie Brace Gives Visitors Win

🌠Welcome to the live coverage of the Indian Super League 2024-25. Today, Jamshedpur FC host NorthEast United FC with both sides aiming to bounce back after a loss in their last games

Jamshedpur lost to Bengaluru FC 0-3 while NorthEast United were blanked 0-2 by Mumbai City FC. Jamshedpur FC 🙈are third in the league table currently and NorthEast United are at the sixth spot. Both teams would want all three points in this game to solidify their position in the top six.

🎐NorthEast United FC, who are unbeaten in their last four away games, will be aiming to record their first league double over Jamshedpur FC, having won the reverse fixture by a 5-0 scoreline.

♔Jamshedpur FC, however, have not faced losses in any of their five home fixtures against NorthEast United FC, drawing thrice in the process.

Jamshedpur FC have 34 points from 19 games on the back of 11 wins and a draw. Their aim will be to stay in contention for the second spot for now, which is claimed by FC Goa with 36 points currently. A finish in the top-two ensures that the team doesn’t have to compete in the single-leg eliminator since they directly qualify for the semi-finals. NorthEast United FC, on the other hand, are sixth with 29 points and they have competition in Odisha FC (26), Kerala Blasters 𓆉FC (24), and Punjab FC (24) closely following them. The Highlanders have drawn thrice and won once in their previous five encounters.

ꦍHere we go then! The opening whistle is sounded and Jamshedpur are going from left to right in red while NorthEast players are donning white.

6' NorthEast United score first goal!

🙈A brilliant long pass and then an inch perfect cross and then a top tier execution. What a start for the Highlanders and they have taken the lead. Alaaeddine Ajaraie with the goal but it was a brilliant run from Thoka Singh who collected the ball on the right flank and deposited a beautiful cross in the centre of the box for Ajaraie to score.

🃏12' Another shot on target from Alaaeddine Ajaraie but this time he would not get the goal. He tried to get the net from outside the box but an easy save for Gomes in the Jamshedpur FC goalpost.

ꦍAlaaeddine Ajaraie continues his grip on the top scorers list of the season in the ISL. He now has 19 goals this season, eight more than second best Jesus Jiminez and Sunil Chhetri. This is also the most number of goals any player has scored in an ISL season.

♛25' Pratik Chaudhari with a shot for Jamshedpur FC but it off target. The hosts have not looked in their elements and have been consistently put under pressure in the early part of the game. Good work from the Highlanders so far.

♍35' Ajaraie once again took a shot from the centre of the box but it is a weak one and is cleared easily. It came up following a corner on which Jamshedpur keeper Gomes dodge a dangerous looking cross at the right time.

Half-time!

🌜A dramatic end to the first half. A poor collection from NorthEast United goalkeeper inside the six-yard box led to the ball heading towards the goalline before a timely clearance helped NorthEast United concede a corner. The corner did not trouble the Highlanders much and the players walk off the field for the break.

✃Second half begins. It was an exciting first half especially for the fans of the NorthEast United. Ajaraie became the highest single season goalscorer in the history of ISL to take the Highlanders ahead in just the sixth minute and they have managed to defend that goal.

♔54' Jamshedpur denied again. Javi Siverio with a header from the centre of the box after a cross from Javi Hernandez but the attempt has been blocked by Singh in the NorthEast goal.

🍨65' A chance missed for NorthEast. They could have doubled the lead here but Alaaeddine Ajaraie is not on target. A free kick following which Néstor Albiach put up a good cross into the box but Ajaraie can not control the header's direction.

⛦75' A corner for Jamshedpur and they do make an attack but still fail to level scores. Mobashir Rahman's cross came into the box but Javi Siverio could not keep his header from the centre of the box on target. He misses to the right and desperation grows for the hosts. They badly need a goal here.

81' Goal for NorthEast United!!!

🎃There is the second one. And who else but it is Alaaeddine Ajaraie who does the scoring. NorthEast double their lead and this time Ajaraie finds the net via a penalty. Thoi Singh managed to draw a foul inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Ajaraie puts the ball in the bottom right corner from the spot. Easy for him and a massive moment in the game. Perhaps this will seal the deal.

NorthEast United FC win!!!

♊A historic night for Alaaeddine Ajaraie and his double helps NorthEast United earn a crucial away victory. He scored a goal early to give the Highlanders lead before he doubled his tally from the spot in the 81st minute.

ꦑWith the win, NorthEast United move up to the fourth place in the table while Jamshedpur stay at the third spot with a two-point difference over the Highlanders.

🐓Thank you for following our coverage of the ISL tonight. We will be back tomorrow with another game. See you then.