Boosted by the presence of Goddard and Allan Paulista upfront, Hyderabad FC seemed eager to attack right from the onset in their Indian Super League (ISL) clash with Chennaiyin FC on Tuesday. Hyderabad FC opened their account for the season with a hard-fought 0-0 draw, marking a respectable start to their campaign in front of their home crowd.
The game kicked off with Hyderabad displaying forward momentum, clearly on the offensive, as they consistently sought out opportunities to penetrate the Chennaiyin defense. Right from the first whistle, Goddard and Allan Paulista endeavored to make their mark on the match, stretching the Chennaiyin FC backline. Their strategy involved dragging defenders wide and then entering the box from central positions, seeking to exploit any spaces left unguarded.
In the ninth minute, Hyderabad FC nearly shattered the deadlock. The dynamic duo of Goddard and Paulista carved their way through the seemingly impregnable Chennaiyin defense, catching them off-guard. Goddard was tantalizingly close to the goal when he delivered a precise pass to Paulista. Unfortunately, Paulista’s attempt failed to find the back of the net, squandering one of their best chances of the match.
Chennaiyin FC, however, were not to be easily undone. Striker Daniel Chima Chukwu took charge to ensure his team remained competitive. In the 35th minute, Chukwu demonstrated his skillful footwork, slipping past Hyderabad defenders Alex Saji and Isaac Vanmalsawma. He then unleashed a shot from a tight angle, but Hyderabad’s goalkeeper, Arshdeep Singh, was up to the task, making a crucial save to keep the score level.
The match took an unexpected turn in the 71st minute when Hyderabad FC’s Parag Shrivas was shown a second yellow card for a reckless foul on Chennaiyin forward Connor Shields, reducing Hyderabad to ten men. This numerical disadvantage seemed poised to tilt the game in Chennaiyin’s favor, offering them a significant opportunity to capitalize on the extra man on the field.
Two minutes after the sending-off, Chennaiyin FC nearly made their advantage count.
. The towering defender Ryan Edwards found himself unmarked at the far post during a corner kick. However, his header missed the target, much to the relief of the Hyderabad supporters.
Hyderabad FC’s head coach, Thangboi Singto, then shifted focus to consolidating the valuable point at hand. Despite being a man down, Hyderabad’s defensive unit maintained their composure and discipline. Singto’s side set up a resolute defensive structure, preventing Chennaiyin from breaching their lines and creating substantial scoring opportunities for the remainder of the match.
The final whistle blew with the scoreboard untouched, but Hyderabad FC’s performance, bolstered by Goddard and Allan Paulista, left a significant impression. The draw allowed Hyderabad to earn their first points of the ISL season and register their name on the points table, providing a psychological boost as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.
Hyderabad FC’s tenacity, especially after Shrivas’ dismissal, showcased their resolute spirit. They will be looking to build on this solid defensive display as they face Jamshedpur FC on October 21. On the other hand, Chennaiyin FC, who also put forth a commendable effort, will aim to sharpen their attacking edge when they lock horns with NorthEast United FC on October 17.
The match served as an invigorating spectacle, reflecting the competitive nature of the ISL. Fans can expect more riveting encounters as Hyderabad FC and Chennaiyin FC both demonstrated their potential to be serious contenders this season.
This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content at its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
