Contentious referee calls and mistakes at the back give NorthEast a 4-1 win

Guwahati: Hyderabad FC’s three-game unbeaten streak came to a halt here at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday.

Guillermo Fernandez (17’), Alaaeddine Ajaraie (45’), Asheer Akhtar (79’) and Mohammed Ali Bemammer (89’) sealed the deal for the hosts in a 4-1 win.

Manoj Mohammad made it 2-1 at the 70-minute mark but Hyderabad failed to capitalize and fell to a gruelling defeat in Guwahati.

The Nawabs started on the front foot but failed to test Gurmeet Singh on goal before Guillermo was gifted a tap-in at the other end.

Abdul Rabeeh’s clearance only fell to the NorthEast man, who made no mistake from two yards out to give his side the lead.

Then came the contentious foul that was called for a tackle by Andrei Alba.

The Brazilian clearly got the ball, but referee Crystal John decided to award a free-kick at the edge of the box, which Ajaraie blasted into the net to give his side a two-goal lead going into the break.

Defeat in Guwahati!@arshsaini56 unlucky to concede four on a day when nothing went our way…#NEUHFC #TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/c0TR3fH9l8

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) January 29, 2025

Manoj scored his second ISL goal, from a Ramhlunchhunga set-piece from inside the box with over 20 minutes to play.

But that goal did not change the flow of the game as the Highlanders took their two-goal lead back with a header from Asheer Akhtar.

Bemmamer added a fourth in the final minutes, as Stefan Sapic’s block only deflected the ball past Arshdeep Singh on goal.

Arshdeep was unlucky to have conceded four on the night. He was one of the best players for the Yellow and Black, pulling out some astonishing saves all throughout the game.

He got a fist to Ajaraie’s free-kick but couldn’t put it out. He denied Ajaraie a second but had no chance against Asheer’s effort from close range.

Arshdeep also denied Nestor Albiach in a one-on-one while also standing strong against a few other efforts from the hosts.

The Nawabs were also denied a stonewall penalty at 2-1.

Cy Goddard got in between the NorthEast centre-backs, who teamed up and pulled him down.

70′ GOOOAAALLLLLL 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Manoj Mohammad thumps it in and its 2-1 here…

NEED TO KEEP PUSHING 👊

🖥 Watch #NEUHFC live on @JioCinema, @Sports18-3 & #StarSports3 👉 https://t.co/LHb1xsjhro#TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/bjQNQBuEaY

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) January 29, 2025

However, even with Goddard’s shoe coming off his foot from the challenge, referee Crystal John was quick to wave away any penalty shouts.

But it was mistakes at the back that cost Hyderabad three crucial points in Guwahati.

HFC are back in action next weekend when they welcome Mohammedan SC to the Gachibowli Stadium in a 5:00 pm kick-off on Saturday, February 8.

The Yellow and Black will look to bounce back after this result and will hope to call on their loyal home support next week.

Join the family at the Maidaan. Book your tickets for Hyderabad FC vs Mohammedan SC on TicketGenie here….