HFC look to build on previous result; Aim for first win of the new year
Hyderabad: The Yellow and Black are back in Indian Super League action at the Maidaan.
Hyderabad host Bengaluru FC in an exciting clash at the Gachibowli Stadium in a 5:00 pm kick-off this Saturday, January 18.
The Nawabs took a point of FC Goa in their last game. Bengaluru go into this clash after back-to-back losses against Jamshedpur FC and Mohammedan SC.
Gerard Zaragoza’s side made a flying start to their campaign, but now find themselves eight points off the top of the league table.
Sunil Chhetri and Ryan Williams have shared the bulk of the scoring in this campaign for the Blues.
However, Bengaluru have the second-best defensive record in the league and have proven to be one of the toughest sides to beat in this competition.
Edgar Mendez, Alberto Noguera, Naorem Roshan Singh and Rahul Bheke have also been crucial for BFC’s run so far this season.
South Indian battle with the Blues 👊
🆚️ Bengaluru FC
🗓️ Saturday, January 18
🏟️ Gachibowli Stadium
📍 Hyderabad
🕢 5:00pm IST
🖥 @JioCinema | @Sports18 | @StarFootball🎟 Tickets 👉 https://t.co/6GApxGXVtC
✨️ USE CODE HFC50 FOR A SPECIAL DISCOUNT ✨️#HFCBFC… pic.twitter.com/Y0Z8s11uR2— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) January 17, 2025
Former Hyderabad FC stars Nikhil Poojary, Rohit Danu, Chinglensana Konsham and Halicharan Narzary could all play a role on the night in Hyderabad.
HFC Interim coach Shameel Chembakath said that it was important for his side to focus on their own game ahead of this tie.
“Bengaluru are a tough team but we need to focus on ourselves and stick to our plans,” he said.
“The players are ready to give their everything in search of three points and I am confident that we will put in a strong performance against Bengaluru,” he added.
Hyderabad FC’s spirits will be lifted after their performance at Fatorda in the last round.
Striker Allan Paulista scored late in the game to rescue a point, but it was a collective team effort that put FC Goa at bay on that night.
Stefan Sapic, Abdul Rabeeh and Manoj Mohammad in the backline will try and put in a solid performance again in this game.
Andrei Alba, Cy Goddard, Ramhunchhunga, Isaac Vanmalsawma and Joseph Sunny will all need to step up their game against a tough BFC side on Saturday.
Alex Saji (suspension) will miss this game but coach Shameel will hope that his side has the strength to go toe-to-toe with their South Indian neighbours.
“The message to my team before this game is very clear. We need to win,” said Coach Shameel.
💪 Battle ready for #HFCBFC!#TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/ItxXbj6G3N
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) January 17, 2025
“The players want to show what they can do, are confident in themselves, and will go into the game in the right frame of mind,” he added.
BFC beat HFC 3-0 in the reverse fixture very early in the season. This game could play out very differently and is sure to produce an entertaining fixture this weekend.
The game kicks off at 5:00 pm IST on Saturday, January 18, and will be telecasted live on Sports 18 and Asianet with free streaming on Jio Cinema.
The Yellow and Black will want to put in a strong performance in their first home game of the new season.
However, they will need all the support they can garner from the HFC faithful in what is expected to be a tough game.
Join the gang at the Gachibowli Stadium on Saturday.
The club has opened a limited-period offer on tickets to this game. Book your seats for Hyderabad FC vs Bengaluru FC on Ticketgenie…
