ISL 2018-19, Jamshedpur FC 1-0 Mumbai City: Hits and Flops from the game

An 80th-minute header from Memo Moura was enough to turn what looked like a ninth draw for Jamshedpur FC into a memorable victory at the JRD Tata Sports Complex against a sturdy Mumbai City FC.

The game was a closely contested affair, where in both the sides canceled out each other, committed many offensive errors and failed to convert the first few passes into productive attacks.

The hosts, as you'd expect, had most of the ball, with Mumbai looking to sit back in a 4-1-4-1 shape without the ball. Occasionally and with an approach straight out of the training ground, Jorge Costa's side made massive transitions while defending as they tried to shock the Men of Steel by winning it high up the pitch.

They did create a few chances, but the majority of the ball and what one would call as a fabricated attack, fell in Jamshedpur's favor.

Paulo Machado missed an absolute sitter from about two-three yards out; the closest Mumbai came to finding the back of the net. Star forward Modou Sougou pounced on an error from Pratik Chaudhary, but only to be denied by a heroic intervention from an onrushing Subrata Pal.

In the end, the header, which probably came on the back of a mistake from Amrinder Singh, proved to be massive for the hosts, who maintained their unbeaten run at the furnace.

On that note, let's take a look at five players who underwent contrasting expeditions in the 1-0 victory.

#5 Hit: Memo Moura

Memo Moura's display against Mumbai City was a sheer example of energy, determination and intelligence.

The midfielder formed the base of his line and foiled the defence extremely well. He was ever-present in key areas almost every time the opposition whipped balls into the box. The 30-year-old sprayed passes all across the pitch and was heavily involved in the build-up play for his side.

Although Jamshedpur lacked the pace that could crack open the opposition defence, they were on top of the ball due to the presence of the midfielders.

And what about the goal? From about 12 yards out, Memo placed his header to perfection with all the presence of mind. In the end, it was he who robbed the biggest talking point from the fixture.

#4 Flop: Paulo Machado

Paulo Machado's crosses were simply substandard

Arguably the worst player for the visitors was Paulo Machado, who put in a horrible shift down the left. To be fair, the midfielder had zero product to show.

He did get into spaces down the flank, but the Portuguese's crosses were abysmal. Even in two vs. two situations, he failed to find his target man. And he failed to do so by a mile. We'd probably need a calculator to count the number of times he whipped the ball out of play.

His set-pieces too, very average, as although most of them were put into dangerous areas, none of his teammates ever won the first ball from free kicks. Defensively as well, Machado was easily beaten and more often than not, out of position.

And his miss was perhaps what cost his side the game. Machado stayed on side and received a fine lofted pass from his teammate, but from about three yards out, fluffed his lines miserably.

#3 Hit: Lucian Goian

Lucian Goian was on top of his game against Jamshedpur

What's got Mumbai so far this season is undoubtedly their back line, led and marshalled by Lucian Goian. On that note, let's elaborate on his leadership skills. Goian set up the team structure every time Jamshedpur launched a set-piece or corner. He was there to instruct and lead by example, as well.

The centre-half won the first ball time and time again and most importantly, nullified the opposition's attack that mainly consisted of crosses, crosses and crosses. He stood his ground, didn't lunge into tackles and most importantly, allowed no penetration whatsoever.

Going forward too, he was always an indirect set-piece threat down the centre of the six-yard box. He took a couple of opponents out of his way with disguised runs as well. In the physical aspect too, Goian was on top of his game.

# 2 Flop: Pratik Chaudhary

Pratik Chaudhary proved to be too reckless

Every time Mumbai surged forward, one thing was common - they attacked Jamshedpur's right - comprising of Robin Gurung and Pratik Chaudhary. The latter was arguably the worst player on the pitch.

He looked shaky, unsettled and rusty at the back. Uncharacteristically, Chaudhary moved out of his position way too often in the quest of winning the ball earlier. Not only did that leave lots of space in the middle, but also piled pressure on partner Tiri to make up for lost ground.

The central defender missed our on aerial duels, getting beaten in the air often due to lack of application and the timing of jump.

And his poor back pass to Subrata that had no pace on it fell to Modou Sougou, who charged forward by was denied by the alert Subrata Pal. That pretty much summed up the defender's evening.

#1 Hit: Tiri

Just how important in Tiri to Jamshedpur heading into the final few games?

Well, another centre-back makes this list. And deservedly so. Tiri carried the team on his shoulders and earned a huge clean sheet for his side. He was simply unbeatable, unbreakable at the back.

Tiri won duels in the air, constructed a near perfect defensive line, extracted the most from his teammates at the back, tackled well, sensed danger before anyone else on the pitch, disallowed space to the likes of Rafael Bastos and Sougou, intercepted the ball by playing high whenever required and what not!

But the highlight of his game was how he pocketed Sougou and clearly upstaged the otherwise clinical striker in their player battle. The key was, of course, the offside trap. But apart from that, Tiri kept it tight and closed down Sougou, as a result of which the striker wasn't able to buy time for his wingers and midfielders.

His blocks, challenges and defensive headers portrayed why he is perhaps the most robust defenders across the land.

Edited by Aaditya Narayan