In a thrilling encounter of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, Hyderabad FC secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Mohammedan SC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The emphatic win marked Hyderabad FC’s first triumph of the season, propelled by a spectacular performance from Brazilian striker Allan Paulista, who netted a remarkable brace. The victory saw contributions from Stefan Sapic and Parag Shrivas, completing a memorable evening for Thangboi Singto’s squad.
The match began with an electrifying start as Hyderabad FC capitalized on an unexpected error just four minutes into the game. It was Allan Paulista who seized the moment, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by Padam Chettri to put the visitors in front. The opportunity arose when Florent Ogier’s pass led to a mix-up in the Mohammedan SC defense, allowing Paulista to find himself in a prime position. Demonstrating his predatory instincts, Paulista calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, setting the tone for a dominant performance.
The early setback for the home team seemed to rattle their confidence, as Hyderabad FC continued to press on. In the 12th minute, their endeavors bore fruit through a well-executed set piece. Cy Goddard delivered a pinpoint corner kick, met by the towering figure of Stefan Sapic, who rose above everyone else to powerfully nod in Hyderabad’s second goal. This seemed to energize the visitors further, and just three minutes later, Paulista struck again.
This time it was Parag Shrivas who found the Brazilian forward unmarked in the final third. Shrivas showed great vision to pick out Paulista, who made no mistake in hammering the ball home. This rapid barrage of goals saw Hyderabad FC establish a commanding 3-0 lead within just 14 minutes and 38 seconds, recording the second-fastest three-goal lead in ISL history.
Despite controlling much of the possession, Mohammedan SC struggled to pose a significant threat in the first half. Their defensive gaps and sluggish response to loose balls allowed Hyderabad FC to maintain their dominance.
. The home side’s efforts to close the gap before the halftime whistle fell flat, as they failed to convert their share of possession into tangible scoring opportunities.
Seeking to overturn their fortunes, Mohammedan SC’s coach, Andrey Chernyshov, reshuffled his team during the interval. The introduction of Cesar Manzoki, Mohammed Irshad, and Makan Chothe aimed to plug the defensive leaks and inject some vigor into their attack. However, Hyderabad FC continued to exploit the spaces and soon extended their lead further.
The visitors struck their fourth goal in the 51st minute with a moment of brilliance from Parag Shrivas. Working in tandem with Alba, Shrivas unleashed a long-range strike that whistled past Padam and nestled into the top right corner. The goal marked a personal milestone for Shrivas, his first in the ISL, and further demoralized the hosts.
Mohammedan SC, despite their valiant efforts in the latter stages of the game, could not find the back of the net. The closest came when Manzoki’s well-aimed shot clattered against the post, and later, Bikash Singh’s glorious opportunity went unexplored after failing to connect properly with Alexis Gomez’s cross.
As time waned, Mohammedan SC redoubled their attempts to at least register on the scoreboard, sending more players forward. Yet, it was not to be their night. The visiting team’s solid defensive organization ensured Hyderabad FC celebrated their first clean sheet of the season alongside their maiden victory.
This comprehensive win sets Hyderabad FC up positively for their upcoming clash against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on October 30. Meanwhile, Mohammedan SC will look to regroup and refocus as they brace for the storied Kolkata Derby away against East Bengal on November 9.
With Hyderabad FC’s striking performance, this outing will be remembered as one where they truly arrived in the 2024-25 ISL season, leaving Mohammedan SC with the task of rebounding from a sobering defeat.
