Pratik Chaudhari's goal was the difference as a sturdy Jamshedpur FC held on to defeat visitors Kerala Blasters FC 1-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on December 29jb casino, Sunday, at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. (Match Highlights | More Football News)

The win helped the home team jump to fourth spot from eighth in the standings with 21 points from 12 matches.

Kerala Blasters FC took time to settle down into a rhythm with their first proper goal-scoring opportunity coming in the 30th minute through an exemplary effort from Noah Sadaoui.

Naocha Singh launched a long ball for Noah, lurking at the edge of the left side of the 18-yard box. The attacker brought the ball down with a deft first touch. He made a creative cross from the outside of his boot for Kwame Peprah at the centre of the box.

Peprah had ample time to head the ball in, but his aerial effort was directed high and wide to the right of the target.

After a sluggish start to the second-half, Jamshedpur FC found the eventual breakthrough from a powerful shot taken by defender Pratik Chaudhari in the 61st minute.

The visitors made repeated attempts to clear a cross earned by Jamshedpur FC, but Chaudhari pounced upon a loose ball and netted it into the bottom left corner to score only his third ISL goal, and first since December 2021.

“You have brought immense glory to India and have inspired millions of young athletes to pursue their dreams,” Mandaviya was quoted as saying in a media release.

However, not everyone from the team flew back home as PR Sreejesh stayed back in the French capital for the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Steelers play their next match against Bengaluru FC on January 4, while Blasters are set to feature against Punjab FC on January 5.

(With PTI inputs)jb casino