The Furnace is ready to ignite as Jamshedpur FC prepares to host Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) in the first leg of their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 semi-final on April 3 at 7:30 PM IST. With a place in the final at stake, this battle promises to be a thrilling contest between Jamshedpur’s resilience and Mohun Bagan’s firepower.
This marks the first-ever playoff meeting between the two sides. MBSG enters the semi-finals as the League Shield winners, while Jamshedpur FC earned their spot with a commanding 2-0 victory over NorthEast United FC in the eliminator. The Men of Steel have already created history by reaching this stage, but Khalid Jamil’s men are hungry for more.
The Challenge: Breaking the Mohun Bagan Streak
One of Jamshedpur’s biggest hurdles will be overturning their recent winless record against Mohun Bagan. In their last six ISL encounters, Jamshedpur has failed to secure a victory, losing four times. However, Khalid Jamil remains unfazed by history, focusing only on the present challenge.
“There are no favourites in football,” Khalid Jamil said ahead of the game. “They are a strong team, but we are also strong. It all depends on how we perform on the day.”
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan comes into the game in top form on the road. They are unbeaten in their last six away matches, winning three and scoring 13 goals while conceding just three. Avoiding defeat here will set a new club record for their longest unbeaten run away from home and give them an edge heading into the second leg in Kolkata.
Defensively, Jamshedpur will need to stay sharp against the likes of Jamie Maclaren, who has scored 11 goals so far, Jason Cummings and Dimitrios Petratos, both of whom can deliver lethal finishing and create chances in front of the goal.
Jamshedpur FC’s Strengths: Home Advantage and Attacking Prowess
Despite their challenging history against MBSG, Jamshedpur FC has key strengths that could turn the tie in their favour. Though Jamshedpur has lost their last two games at The Furnace, the stadium has been a fortress in the past. The fans will play a crucial role in pushing the team forward.
Also, Jamshedpur has been the most prolific team in 2025, scoring 22 goals since the start of the year—one more than Mohun Bagan (21). With 47 goals across the season, MBSG remains the highest-scoring side, but Jamshedpur’s momentum in front of goal cannot be ignored.
Jamshedpur’s success in the quarter-final was built on key performances from Stephen Eze, Jordan Murray, and Javi Hernández. Eze was a rock in defence and scored a crucial goal, Murray’s work rate up front was relentless, and Javi will have extra motivation to leave his mark on this tie.
Javi could be the X-factor in midfield, threading passes through tight spaces and creating opportunities. Meanwhile, Murray’s presence in the box and Eze’s threat from set-pieces could trouble Mohun Bagan’s defence.
(Inputs from JFC Media)
