Jamshedpur: Thiago Santos’ double strike nulled Izu Azuka’s brace as Jamshedpur were held to a 2-2 draw by Mumbai City in a thriller at the JRD Tata Complex Stadium here on Friday. The hosts had come back from going a goal behind only to fall prey to the Bazilian’s stunner in the 71st minute.
Never had Jamshedpur scored from open play in their debut season but netted two against the ‘Islanders’ when Nigerian Izu Azuka scored two within two minutes in the opening -half. The first restored parity while the second a beautiful header gave the ‘Men of Steel’ a 2-1 lead going into the break.
But Thiago’s sublime finish past Subrata Paul in the 71st minute silenced the stadium when the loanee from Flamengo latched onto a Everton Santos pass before finding the net to level things for the visitors.
Earlier it was the visitors that started well keeping the Mumbai defence on it’s toes with a complete dominating performance that perplexed coach Steve Coppell, who couldn’t stop himself from saying, “This was our best match in terms of attacking football, our best performance. I think it was pleasing” despite the draw.
The hunger of not scoring enough goals was evident as Kervens Belfort and Trindade made repeated attacking runs even as the full-backs went up in support. But it was the the ‘Islanders’ who somehow took the lead when Brazilian forward Thiago broke through the entire Jamshedpur defence of four people to slot home in the 24th minute. Avinas Ruidas’ throw had initiated the move and Everton’s cross finished it. A combination that brought Mumbai their second goal late into the match.
But Jamshedpur buoyed by the unscrupulous home support kept on attacking depite going behind while Mumbai were forced into a substitution as Raju Gaikwad went out injured.
Their persistence paid off when Jerry Mawhmingthanga’s low-cross found Belfort, whose miss was put in the net by Azuka on the rebound. Mumbai were yet to get over the hangover when Jamshedpur struck again within the next two minutes.
It was the duo of Jerry and Azuka again who did the talking as the younger Jerry skid past Ruidas before passing it for Azuka to calmly finish it past a hapless Amrinder Singh.
Back after the break with their confidence bolstered after netting two in as many minutes Jamshedpur cane roaring and the Nigerian Azuka could have well added another two five minutes later. But while he skied one from a close distance, another drew a brilliant save from Amrinder at the far post.
Mumbai were happy to defend and apart from scoring the important equaliser did nothing much in attacks. Alexandre Guimarães said later it was their modifications that helped then escape with a point.