Jamshedpur FC have climbed to the second spot on the points table after playing a 1-1 draw versus Kerala Blasters FC in an Hero Indian Super League 2021-22 tie at Tilak Maidan in Goa on Sunday.
The Men of Steel, who are eyeing a place in the play-offs, have secured 13 points (8 matches, 3 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss) in the cash-rich tournament. So far the team’s form is satisfactory and Owen Coyle’s boys are expected to continue in the same vein in the rest of the matches ahead.
The result means Kerala Blasters are now third on the table with 13 points (8 matches, 3 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss) Jamshedpur, having the same number of points from 8 games but ahead on goal scored. Mumbai City top the table with 15 points (7 matches, 5 wins and 2 losses).
Jamshedpur were placed 3rd before the match against Kerala.
Jamshedpur FC put Kerala Blasters on the back foot after the in-form Greg Stewart put them ahead in the 14th minute. The Scottish forward converted a free-kick with a swinging strike from the left foot. However, Jamshedpur could not crown this special goal with a victory as Kerala’s Sahal Abdul Samad equalized in the 27th minute.
Head coach Owen Coyle said : “Two draws against two very good teams, coming on the back of a 4-0 win against Odisha. We had 13 points from 12 matches last year. So there is an improvement already.”.
He added they were in a very competitive league and are going to have many draws and twists and turns. “We’ve to focus on Jamshedpur, the players get fit and healthy because we have shown if we’re at our very best we can stay toe to toe with anybody,”Owen said.
The Tata Steel-owned club takes on Chennaiyin FC in their next match on January 2.
Jamshedpur have never made it to the play-offs since making their ISL debut in the 2017-18 season.