Lawmsangzuala Hat-Trick Powers Jamshedpur FC to 6-0 Rout, Quarter-final Hopes Stay Alive
Jamshedpur FC thrashed Indian Air Force FT 6-0 in the Durand Cup as 17-year-old Lawmsangzuala scored a second-half hat-trick.
Jamshedpur FC produced one of the most emphatic performances of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup on Thursday, overwhelming Indian Air Force FT 6-0 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi to keep their quarter-final hopes firmly alive.
The headline belonged to 17-year-old Lawmsangzuala, who turned the contest into a one-sided affair after half-time with a remarkable 25-minute hat-trick. His three goals came in the 55th, 64th and 80th minutes, while Aman C.K. delivered an outstanding individual performance with four assists and a goal of his own. Raynier Fernandes opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute, while Aman C.K. added Jamshedpur's fourth in the 71st minute. Seventeen-year-old substitute Rayan C. completed the rout in the 84th minute.
The result moved Jamshedpur into contention for a quarter-final place as one of the best second-placed teams, with their fate depending on the final Group D fixture between Shillong Lajong FC and Langsning FC.
Jamshedpur made their intentions clear almost immediately. In just the fourth minute, Aman C.K. embarked on a dangerous run that disrupted the Indian Air Force defence before finding Raynier Fernandes. The midfielder made no mistake, calmly finishing the move to give Jamshedpur a 1-0 lead. The early goal allowed Jamshedpur to settle into their attacking 4-3-3 formation, with their movement and pressing repeatedly disrupting the Airmen's attempts to build from the back.
The Red Miners continued to dominate possession and territory as the first half progressed. Nikhil Barla came close to doubling the lead with a powerful effort that narrowly missed the target, while goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil was also forced into an excellent save from a Jamshedpur free-kick. Indian Air Force struggled to generate sustained attacking pressure but nearly found an equaliser just before half-time.
Albino Gomes parried an effort into the path of Aman Khan, who had an opportunity from close range. However, the forward was unable to convert the rebound, allowing Jamshedpur to take a 1-0 advantage into the break. That missed opportunity would prove costly.
Lawmsangzuala changes the game.
The second half initially began without the same attacking intensity, but the introduction of young forward Lawmsangzuala completely changed the contest. The 17-year-old made his presence felt in the 55th minute. Aman C.K. raced down the right flank before delivering a precise cross into the penalty area. Lawmsangzuala arrived in the right position and calmly finished from close range to double Jamshedpur's advantage.
The goal opened the floodgates. Nine minutes later, Aman C.K. again found Lawmsangzuala, who produced another composed finish to make it 3-0. The combination between the two players became the defining feature of Jamshedpur's second-half performance. The Indian Air Force struggled to cope with the speed of Jamshedpur's attacks, particularly down the right side, where Aman repeatedly found space.
After creating three goals, Aman C.K. finally got his own name on the scoresheet in the 71st minute. Raynier Fernandes opted to square the ball rather than take the shot himself, allowing Aman to turn inside the penalty area before calmly placing a left-footed finish into the net.
The goal made it 4-0 and effectively put the contest beyond the Indian Air Force. But Jamshedpur was not finished. Lawmsangzuala completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute, once again with Aman C.K. at the heart of the move. The winger delivered his fourth assist of the afternoon with an excellent cross, and Lawmsangzuala met it with a powerful point-blank header.
For the teenager, it was a spectacular individual contribution in one of the biggest matches of his young career.
Jamshedpur added a sixth four minutes later. Lawmsangzuala turned provider this time, finding fellow youngster Rayan C., who drove a left-footed effort into the bottom corner to complete the 6-0 scoreline. Kunniyil made several impressive saves throughout the second half to prevent the margin from becoming even larger, but the Indian Air Force simply could not contain Jamshedpur's attacking quality.
The final statistics were reflected on the scoreboard: six goals, a clean sheet and a dominant second-half display.
The victory has kept Jamshedpur FC's Durand Cup campaign alive. They moved into second place among the best second-placed teams, behind East Bengal FC, but their quarter-final qualification is no longer entirely in their hands. The outcome of the final Group D fixture between Shillong Lajong FC and Langsning FC will determine whether Jamshedpur's points and goal difference are enough to secure a knockout-stage berth.
Regardless of what happens next, Jamshedpur can take considerable confidence from their final group-stage performance. The biggest positive was undoubtedly the emergence of Lawmsangzuala. At just 17, the youngster scored three goals in 25 minutes and demonstrated composure well beyond his years.
Alongside him, Aman C.K.'s four-assist, one-goal performance provided the creative spark that repeatedly unlocked the Indian Air Force defence. Jamshedpur entered their final group match needing a statement.
They delivered one emphatically.
Now, they must wait.
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