Jamshedpur FC began its Durand Cup campaign by crushing Sri Lankan Armed Forces side Defenders FC 5-0 in the Group C clash at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday.
Event Context
Coached by Kaizad Ambapardiwalla, Jamshedpur dominated from the outset, with Raynier netting twice inside the opening 10 minutes. Aman and Devendra added to the tally before half-time as Jamshedpur took a 4-0 lead heading into the break.
Player Focus
Debutant Raynier Fernandes starred with a brilliant hat-trick, while Aman C.K. and Devendra Murgaonkar scored one goal each during the Red Miners’ rout.
Defenders FC improved defensively after the interval and managed to contain Jamshedpur for much of the second half. But Raynier completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute after goalkeeper T.S. Priyashan’s clearance fell kindly into his path following substitute Lawmsangzuala’s initial effort.
The results: Group C: Jamshedpur 5 (Raynier Fernandes 4, 6, 82, Aman C.K. 23, Devendra Murgaonkar 39) bt Defenders 0. At Kolkata: Group B: Indian Army 1 (Christopher Kamei 47) bt Samaleswari Sporting 0.