The Nawabs will look to put in a strong performance against a tough FC Goa side
Hyderabad: Hyderabad FC are back in Indian Super League action this Wednesday, January 8.
The Nawabs travel to Goa for their second away trip of the new year, for a clash against FC Goa at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda.
Manolo Marquez’s side are in fine form at the moment and are unbeaten in the last eight league games.
Armando Sadiku and Brison Fernandes have shared the bulk of the scoring for the Gaurs this season.
The likes of Borja Herrera, Dejan Drazic, Iker Guarrotxena, Udanta Singh and Akash Sangwan have also done well in attack so far this season.
Sandesh Jhingan will miss his centre-back partner Odei Onaindia for this game.
A big test awaits in Goa 👊
🆚️ FC Goa
🗓️ Wednesday, January 8
🏟️ PJN Stadium
📍 Fatorda
🕢 7:30pm IST
🖥 @JioCinema | @Sports18 | @StarFootball#FCGHFC #TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/uAIcDmF8f6— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) January 7, 2025
The former HFC star is suspended for raking up yellow cards, which will force Manolo into changing his backline for this game.
Hrithik Tiwari and Mohammad Yasir were the best players for the Gaurs in the reverse leg earlier in the season and will be danger men for Hyderabad in this game as well.
Speaking to the media ahead of this game, HFC Interim Coach Shameel Chembakath said that his side expect a tough fight against FC Goa.
“FC Goa are a strong side, that are fighting for the first spot and will not be an easy side to face,” said coach Shameel.
“We know their strengths, and we need to stick to our game plan and focus on maintaining our shape and give them a tough fight,” he added.
Hyderabad FC fell to a tough defeat in Kolkata last week.
They will be eager to bounce back and put in a stronger performance against the Gaurs this Wednesday.
Edmilson Correia has been the spark in attack for Hyderabad. But the Guinea Bissau attacker needs support from the likes of Ramhlunchhunga, Cy Goddard, Abdul Rabeeh and Allan Paulista, all of who need to find the back of net with increasing regularity.
😍 Joining in the football fever in Hyderabad 😍
Our stars Alex Saji, Muhammed Rafi, Edmilson Correia and Allan Paulista joined in the fun at the ‘first of its kind’ fan-club tournament in Jubilee Hills 👊#TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/t3SvTDWafe
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) January 5, 2025
Alex Saji, Stefan Sapic, Muhammed Rafi and Manoj Mohammad will also have their work cut out against a tough FC Goa side.
And, Coach Shameel believes that his side need to stick to the game plan for this game.
“We made a few mistakes in the last game that cost us a lot. So it is important that we focus and avoid doing the same mistakes again,”
“But more importantly, we need to believe in ourselves, play to our strengths and hope that our plans in training bear fruit in Goa,” he added.
Hyderabad have a decent record at the Fatorda Stadium and will want to put in an improved performance against the Gaurs on the night.
The game kicks off at 7:30 pm IST on Wednesday, January 8, and will be telecasted live on Sports 18 and Asianet with free streaming on Jio Cinema.
