Kalinga Super Cup 2025: Jamshedpur FC held their nerve in a pulsating quarter-final to defeat NorthEast United FC 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday, April 27, 2025, and booked their place in the semi-finals of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025.
After 90 minutes of cagey football produced no goals, the match was decided by a thrilling shootout that stretched into sudden death.
Despite early setbacks with Jordan Murray and Stephen Eze missing their spot-kicks, Khalid Jamil’s side showed remarkable resilience. NorthEast United, too, faced their own woes with Guillermo Fernandez and Michel Zabaco missing crucial penalties.
With both teams locked at 3-3 after the initial five attempts, the contest moved into sudden death, where Asheer Akhtar’s sky-high miss proved costly for NorthEast. Ashutosh Mehta and Lazar Cirkovic calmly slotted their penalties to seal a famous win for Jamshedpur.
The victory sets up a semi-final showdown with Mumbai City FC, scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, at 8 PM IST.
The quarter-final itself was a tactical chess match. Both sides opted for a cautious approach, aware of the attacking threats on the field. NorthEast United had the likes of Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Nestor Albiach, and Guillermo Fernandez, while Jamshedpur boasted Javier Hernandez Gonzalez, Javier Siverio, and Jordan Murray. Defenses stood firm, and chances were at a premium throughout.
NorthEast United nearly broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Ajaraie’s ferocious free-kick from 32 yards was expertly tipped over by Albino Gomes. Jamshedpur responded with tidy interplay between Hernandez and Siverio but failed to significantly trouble Gurmeet Singh.
The second half mirrored the first, with both sides cancelling each other out. Jithin MS came closest for NorthEast with a stunning volley that narrowly missed, while Siverio and Murray were denied by Gurmeet’s assured goalkeeping.
Substitutions made by both managers couldn’t alter the tempo, leading to the inevitable shootout. When the dust settled, it was Jamshedpur FC who held their nerve to progress.
Stephen Eze, instrumental at the back and composed under pressure, was adjudged the Kalinga Player of the Match. He received his award from Dr. Saswat Kumar Rout, Officer on Special Duty, Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha.