The Nawabs travel to Kolkata for their first away trip of the New Year
Hyderabad: Hyderabad FC travel to Kolkata to take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Salt Lake Stadium this Thursday.
This will be the first Indian Super League fixture of 2025. This game could see a massive crowd from Kolkata, with the Mariners announcing that entry to the stadium would be free of cost on the night.
The Nawabs registered a point against East Bengal in the last round and will want to build on that result.
Jose Molina’s side are the current league leaders, beat Punjab in the last round and will be confident going into this game.
The duo of Jason Cummings and Jamie Maclaren along with Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Anirudh Thapa and Sahal Abdul Samad make the Mariners one of the strongest attacks in the league.
Kicking off the New Year in Kolkata 👊
🆚️ Mohun Bagan SG
🗓️ Thursday, January 2
🏟️ Salt Lake Stadium
📍 Kolkata
🕢 7:30pm IST
🖥 @JioCinema | @Sports18 | @StarFootball#MBSGHFC #TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/IyVwn1G3Cn— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) January 1, 2025
Subhasish Bose, Alberto Rodríguez, Tom Aldred, Asish Rai and Vishal Kaith all form a formidable backline, which will not be easy to beat for the Yellow and Black.
However, his side is ready to face these challenges, says HFC Interim Coach Shameel Chembakath.
“Mohun Bagan are a strong team, who can punish you for even the smallest mistakes,” said Coach Shameel, speaking to the media ahead of this game.
“We know we have to focus on controlling the game, be patient and sharp in both defence and attack. We are ready to push each other and put in a strong performance against a tough side,” he added.
Hyderabad have been unlucky with a few results this season.
They put in a gritty performance to secure a point with a 90th-minute equalizer against East Bengal in the last round.
Edmilson Correia is growing in confidence while Cy Goddard, Allan Paulista, Ramhlunchhunga and Joseph Sunny will also want to make an impact in the final third.
Andrei Alba, Stefan Sapic, Alex Saji, Manoj Mohammad and Abdul Rabeeh have been solid in general.
🗓 The month of January for the Yellow and Black!
Kicking off with a trip to the City of Joy 👊#ISL #TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/4Y50by2Ccv
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) December 31, 2024
Against the Mariners, however, they will be tested against one of the most dangerous attacking units in the country.
Coach Shameel believes that things are positive at the moment after the recent result and wants his side to go into this game confidently.
“We want to approach every game in the best possible shape. We are motivated and the general morale in the team is high,” said Coach Shameel.
“Everyone knows the quality of Mohun Bagan, especially at home. But we are prepared to face them in an 11 v 11 battle and ready to face the challenges in Kolkata,” he added.
Hyderabad FC do not have too many injury issues ahead of this game.
The Mariners will continue to miss the services of Dimitri Petratos but will welcome Greg Stewart back to the squad for this game on Thursday.
The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan has not been a happy hunting ground for the Nawabs.
But their last trip to the City of Joy yielded four goals and three points, against Mohammedan SC earlier in the season at the KBK Stadium.
They will want to take heart from that result and put in a solid performance against a tough Mariners side this week and start the year on a high.
The game kicks off at 7:30 pm IST on Thursday, January 2, and will be telecasted live on Sports 18 and Asianet with free streaming on Jio Cinema.
