Bhubaneswar, April 27 — The Kalinga Stadium hummed with tension last night as Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC battled to a standstill in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 quarter-final. Ninety minutes of gritty football ended goalless, forcing a penalty shootout that had fans chewing their nails down to the quick. When the dust settled, Jamshedpur FC emerged victorious, squeaking past NorthEast United 5-4 in sudden death to book a semi-final spot.
The match kicked off under floodlights, with both sides showing early fire. NorthEast United, riding high after a 6-0 demolition of Mohammedan SC in the Round of 16, looked to their star striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie to break the deadlock. The Moroccan, who’s been lighting up the Indian Super League with 23 goals this season, nearly delivered in the 14th minute. His curling free kick sailed over Jamshedpur’s defensive wall, destined for the net, until goalkeeper Albino Gomes dove full stretch, tipping the ball onto the post. The crowd gasped, and NorthEast’s bench leapt to their feet, only to slump back in disbelief.
Jamshedpur, no strangers to knockout drama, weren’t just here to defend. Coach Khalid Jamil, who’s guided both these clubs to ISL semi-finals in past seasons, had his squad drilled for battle. Javier Siverio tested NorthEast’s Gurmeet Singh with a long-range effort early on, but the keeper stood tall. The Red Miners’ backline, anchored by Stephen Eze and Lazar Cirkovic, smothered NorthEast’s attacks, keeping Ajaraie and Guillermo Fernandez under wraps. By halftime, the scoreboard read 0-0, and the game felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap.
The second half brought more of the same—both teams probing, neither yielding. NorthEast’s Jithin MS came agonizingly close when he unleashed a screamer from outside the box, the ball whistling just over the bar. Jamshedpur’s Jordan Murray caused havoc on the right, twisting past defenders, but his crosses found no takers. As the clock ticked down, the match grew cagey, with tired legs and cautious play steering it toward penalties.
In the shootout, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Both sides traded successful kicks, matching each other blow for blow. NorthEast’s hopes hinged on their final shooter, defender Asheer Akhtar. His shot, struck with purpose, was saved by Gomes, who guessed right and sent Jamshedpur’s bench erupting. The Red Miners held their nerve in sudden death, clinching a 5-4 win that sent them through to face Mumbai City FC in the semi-finals on April 30.
The match was a showcase of defensive grit and clutch goalkeeping. NorthEast United, despite the loss, showed why they’re a force this season, with Ajaraie’s flair and Gurmeet’s heroics in goal. Jamshedpur, meanwhile, leaned on their trademark resilience, a hallmark of Jamil’s sides. The Kalinga Stadium crowd, a sea of red and green, roared through every moment, from Ajaraie’s near-miss to the gut-punch of Akhtar’s miss.
Jamshedpur FC now prepares for a semi-final clash against Mumbai City FC, who dispatched Inter Kashi 1-0 earlier on April 27. The Kalinga Super Cup, with its straight knockout format, continues to deliver high-stakes drama, and the Red Miners are two wins away from a shot at the title and a berth in the AFC Champions League 2 Playoffs. NorthEast United, meanwhile, head home, their campaign cut short but their pride intact after a valiant fight.
The match was played at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, with a start time of 8:00 PM IST. It was broadcast live on Star Sports 3 and streamed on JioHotstar. The tournament’s semi-finals are set for April 30, with the final slated for May 3.