Defending Champions take on Mumbai City in their opening game
Hyderabad: Having being crowned the Champions of India last season, Manolo Marquez’s Hyderabad FC resume action in the Indian Super League this weekend. They take on Mumbai City FC at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter to start off their respective League campaigns.
HFC completed the double over Des Buckingham’s side in the previous season but with quite a few changes in personnel over the off-season, both teams will look to start afresh, and make a quick start to the current campaign.
Manolo’s men went deep into the Durand Cup, where they bowed out in the semi-final and the Head Coach believes that his side will be ready for this crunch clash.
“Our biggest strength has been our continuity over the last two seasons,” said Manolo, who believes that his side will once again compete for the biggest prizes.
“We did sign some players, who took advantage of the minutes they got in the Durand Cup. We know it is difficult to be at your very best for the first game but we are confident that we will once again be competitive this season,” added the Spaniard.
Mumbai City added the likes of Greg Stewart, Pereyra Diaz, Rostyn Griffiths and Alberto Noguera to their foreign contingent and are one of the strongest sides going into this competition.
The Islanders also played in the Durand Cup final and will be ready to put that loss behind them when they take on Hyderabad in this clash and Manolo Marquez believes that it will be a tough game for both sides.
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The Champions of India kick off their 2022-23 @IndSuperLeague campaign 🆚️ Mumbai City at Pune and we need every one of you cheering us on!
It’s time to be our 12th man… 💪#HeroISL #ThisIsOurGame #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC 💛🖤
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) October 6, 2022
“We play a tough team in Mumbai City in our first game. It will be a hard game against a side that will want to win. But surely, we will have the opportunity to win this game as well,” said the HFC Head Coach.
Hyderabad also added the likes of Odei Onaindia and Borja Herrera along with a few exciting Indian youngsters and have a side that can go head-to-head against some of the best teams in the country.
Bartholomew Ogbeche, who won the Golden Boot last season, will be geared up to take on his former side while the likes of Halicharan Narzary, Javi Siverio, Joel Chianese and Joao Victor have been in fine form going into this game.
HFC will sport their new 2022-23 home kit in this clash and with fans back in the stadium, it is a chance for the fans to see the Champions of India back in action after a long wait.
The game kicks off at 7:30 pm on Sunday and will be telecasted live on the Star Sports Network with live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar and JioTV.
