Matchday
Hyderabad start campaign with tough loss in Bengaluru
September 20, 2024 HFC Media
  Hyderabad FC players in action at Sree Kanteerava vs Bengaluru FC

Late mistakes decided the fate of the game as HFC fell to 3-0 loss

Bengaluru: The young HFC kicked off the 2024-25 ISL with a tough outing against Bengaluru at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Thursday.

Rahul Bheke’s early goal (4’) did not fluster the Nawabs, who fought back well right until the end. But a late Sunil Chhetri brace (85’ (p), 90+4’) saw the Blues take a 3-0 win.

Coach Thangboi Singto’s side started with a an all-Indian XI to complement an all-Indian support and technical staff, who will have plenty to teach the young squad after this game.

Bheke scored from the first corner of the game but BFC were constantly pushed back, having to defend deep for most of the first half.

Devendra Murgaonkar, had the best chance of the half from a Parag Shrivas cross right after the goal, with the duo linking up in what was their first ever game for HFC.

The likes of Ramhlunchhunga, Abdul Rabeeh, Abijith PA and Lenny Rodrigues, on club debut, also had their shots blocked, in a competitive half of football in Bengaluru.

Coach Thangboi Singto bought Cy Goddard on for his HFC debut after the break. He showed glimpses of his class in his first outing in Yellow and Black.

But BFC slowed the game down, frustrated Hyderabad, and managed to leave it late for Chhetri to seal the deal.

Goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh, who was one of seven players who made their debut for HFC, also pulled out a couple of crucial saves at the back.

The CB-pairing of Alex Saji, the skipper on the night, and Muhammed Rafi were also impressive alongside Leander D’Cunha, who looked solid in his first outing in Yellow and Black.

Ayush Adhikari, another debutant also looked good in the first half while Aron Vanlalrinchhana, tried to make things happen after the break.

Winger Sourav K also came on for his debut and looked exciting on the wing but Hyderabad could not convert their attacking play into goals.

The young guns frustrated BFC for most of the game and forced the Blues into last-ditch blocks and three bookings, and will take plenty of heart from this performance, going into the next game.

Hyderabad FC are back in action when they travel to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi to take on Punjab FC on Wednesday, September 25.

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