Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Aug 13: An explosive second-half performance, headlined by a 25-minute hat-trick from 17-year-old Lawmsangzuala and a playmaking masterclass from Aman C.K., powered Jamshedpur FC to a resounding 6-0 win over Indian Air Force FT in the final Group C fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Birsa Munda Stadium on Thursday.
Raynier Fernandes opened the scoring for the Red Miners in the fourth minute before Lawmsangzuala struck twice after the break. Aman C.K. added Jamshedpur's fourth, Lawmsangzuala completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute and Rayan C. capped the dominant display with a sixth goal.
The emphatic victory moved Jamshedpur FC into contention as the second-best second-placed team in the tournament. Their place in the quarter-finals will be confirmed after the final group-stage match later in the evening.
Jamshedpur FC made just one change to their starting XI and lined up in an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Albino Gomes started in goal, with Nikhil Barla, Pratik Chaudhari, Provat Lakra and Lalriathpuia Chawnghlut forming the defence. Shagolsem Rashithoi Meitei, Pronay Halder and Raynier Fernandes anchored the midfield, while Sanan Mohammed K, Aman CK and Devendra Murgaokar led the attack.
Indian Air Force FT also made one change, with Shibinraj Kunniyil starting in goal in their 4-3-3 setup. Mohd Aqib, Amaldas K. R, Umar Farooq and Jijo Jerone formed the back four, while Mohammad Danish, Samuel K. V. and Naorem Somananda Singh operated in midfield. Alkesh A. S, Akhish Cyril and Aman Khan were the attacking trio.
Jamshedpur asserted their dominance almost immediately, taking the lead in the fourth minute. Aman C.K. embarked on a brilliant run that opened up the Air Force defence before picking out Raynier Fernandes, who calmly finished the well-worked move.
The Airmen struggled to settle into the contest during the opening quarter, with Jamshedpur's movement and pressing repeatedly disrupting their attempts to build from the back.
The Red Miners continued to dictate the tempo, with Nikhil Barla coming close to doubling their advantage when his powerful effort narrowly missed the target.
Indian Air Force's frustration resulted in a yellow card for Umar Farooq in the 25th minute following a mistimed challenge.
Jamshedpur continued to control proceedings after the hydration break, with Shibinraj Kunniyil producing an excellent save to deny a free-kick that appeared destined for the top corner.
Albino Gomes was called into action at the other end soon after, comfortably dealing with a long-range effort from Samuel K V.
Despite Jamshedpur's dominance, the Airmen had a golden opportunity to level the contest in stoppage time. Albino parried an effort into the path of Aman Khan, but the forward somehow failed to convert the rebound from close range, leaving Jamshedpur 1-0 ahead at half-time.
The second half began at a slower pace, with neither side creating a clear opening during the opening 10 minutes. However, the introduction of Lawmsangzuala changed the complexion of the contest.
Aman C.K. provided the spark again in the 55th minute, racing down the right flank before delivering a precise cross for Lawmsangzuala, who calmly finished from close range to double Jamshedpur's advantage.
The combination proved too difficult for the Airmen to contain. In the 64th minute, Aman C.K. registered his third assist of the afternoon, setting up Lawmsangzuala for another composed finish as Jamshedpur moved 3-0 ahead.
Indian Air Force's frustrations continued, with substitute Amarnath receiving a yellow card in the 65th minute as the Red Miners took complete control.
Aman C.K. finally got his name on the scoresheet in the 71st minute. Raynier Fernandes chose to square the ball to his teammate rather than shoot himself, allowing Aman to turn inside the box and calmly place a left-footed finish into the net.
Lawmsangzuala completed his remarkable hat-trick in the 80th minute, with Aman C.K. once again at the heart of the move. The winger delivered his fourth assist of the afternoon with a superb cross, which Lawmsangzuala met with a powerful point-blank header.
Jamshedpur refused to ease off after the final hydration break. Seventeen-year-old substitute Rayan C added a sixth in the 84th minute after latching onto a pass from Lawmsangzuala before drilling a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Shibinraj Kunniyil produced several impressive saves throughout the second half to prevent the scoreline from becoming even more emphatic, but Jamshedpur's attacking quality ultimately proved overwhelming.
The 6-0 victory kept Jamshedpur FC's qualification hopes alive. They moved into second place among the best second-placed teams behind East Bengal FC, with their quarter-final fate resting on the outcome of the final Group D fixture between Shillong Lajong and Langsning FC.