A win would’ve taken Jamshedpur to the top of the Indian Super League standings, but the Red Miners were held by Hyderabad to a 1-1 stalemate, with Bartholomew Ogbeche clawing back the deficit.
The first big opportunity of the game presented itself to Hyderabad’s Juanan, but the centerback glanced a free header agonizingly wide of the post from a corner. At the other end, Greg Stewart came close for Jamshedpur; the forward stole the ball off Hitesh Sharma just inside the Hyderabad half, ran into the central channels, and hit the inside of the post with a low shot from the edge of the box. Minutes later, Stewart set up strike partner Nerijus Valskis, who shot wide from a similar range.
Jamshedpur took the lead in the 41st minute; Stewart wriggled out of a cul-de-sac and curled the ball into the top corner from the left side of the box. The Red Miners took the lead with them into the break.
Minutes after the restart, Ogbeche headed over from close range – the clearest sign yet of the danger possessed by the Nigerian forward. Jamshedpur were reminded of the forward’s ability, but the Red Miners failed to heed the warning signs, and the striker leveled the scores with 57 minutes played.
The 37-year-old played a give-and-go with Joao Victor 25 yards away from goal, then took a deft touch to skip past an incoming challenge from Narender Gahlot, and finally scored with a low shot from the edge of the box.
The majority share of chances post Ogbeche’s goal fell to Jamshedpur, albeit none of them as clear-cut as the ones that Owen Coyle’s men had created in the first half.
The Red Miners had to be content with a draw, which leaves them fifth in the table. Hyderabad, meanwhile, are sixth – one point behind their latest opponents.
