Firstpost narrates Hyderabad FC’s historic triumph in the Indian Super League…

Prior to the 2020-21 season of the Indian Super League (ISL), Hyderabad FC (HFC) seemed a team in turmoil. They had been founded a year ago and had slumped to a bottom-placed finish at the first time of asking. They tried installing Albert Roca at the helm, hoping that the Spaniard would, like he did at Bengaluru FC, take them to promised land. That, though, fell flat once FC Barcelona and Ronald Koeman came calling.

At the time, Manolo Marquez, who had built up a decent reputation for nurturing youngsters, was looked upon as a stop-gap signing. His previous work in Spain demanded recognition. Yet, it wasn’t the sort of statement acquisition that made the rest of the ISL sit up and take notice.

As that season progressed, Hyderabad FC started leaving their mark. Not just because they began stringing victories and positive results together, but because they, for large swathes of that season, relied on an Indian core — a core many felt wasn’t good enough to compete on a regular basis.

Read the full story via Firstpost here.