Aaren D’Silva, Chianese and Poojary strike in 3-1 win

Goa: Continuing their preparations ahead of the 2022-23 Indian Super League campaign, reigning Champions Hyderabad FC put in a strong performance to beat FC Goa 3-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat Ground here in Goa on Friday.

As a part of a one-week pre-season camp in Goa, the HFC squad gathered some much-needed minutes with the likes of Aaren D’Silva, Joel Chianese and Nikhil Poojary finding the back of the net in a high-octane friendly.

Carlos Pena’s side took the lead in just the fourth minute after summer signing Guarrotxena beat Anuj Kumar on goal from a tight angle. But since that goal went in, Hyderabad stepped up their game and troubled the FC Goa backline constantly throughout the night.

Local boy Aaren D’Silva stuck just ten minutes later when the ball fell to him after Joel Chianese’s steal at the edge of the box. Aaren took his time, showed composure to strike a powerful shot and the FC Goa keeper was beaten, via a deflection.

Joao Victor thumped the bar just a few minutes later with a superb free-kick but it was Chianese that took us into the lead just before the break.

⚽️ Joel Chianese’s goal makes it 2-1 to Hyderabad as we go into the break here with a lead!#మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/KX2khGCdQ3

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) September 23, 2022

Halicharan Narzary’s corner was met by Aaren, whose head-down turned into an easy tap-in for a well-placed Chianese on the goal line.

Hyderabad went into the break with a lead, having conceded first and Manolo Marquez decided to ring in the changes after the break.

The backline of Odei Onaindia, Manoj Mohammad and Abdul Rabeeh was changed, as Nikhil Poojary, Soyal Joshy and Nim Dorjee Tamang came on for the second half.

Hitesh Sharma and Joao Victor, who were marshalling the midfield well, were also taken off, as Sahil Tavora and Borja Herrera were tasked with the same.

Narzary, Sweden Fernandes and Aaren gave way in attack, as Lalchungnunga Chhangte and Javi Siverio came on and made life tougher for the Gaurs.

FULL-TIME at Salvador do Mundo!@DsilvaAaren, @Joel_Chianese and @nikhilcpoojary find the net as Hyderabad beat FC Goa 3-1 in pre-season friendly today… 💪

Getting closer to the season now 😍#మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/IxnUoXR46W

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) September 23, 2022

With the game heating up, the referee was forced into showing up to eight yellow cards, six of them to HFC players, including a red for Javi Siverio but HFC never lost its shape and made sure that Carlos Pena’s side had no chance to get back into the game.

The deal was sealed when Nikhil Poojary drove in from the left wing and let one fly into the left corner, leaving the FC Goa keeper helpless.

Hyderabad left the ground with a win, lots of confidence but more importantly, more minutes for the squad, as they get ready for their first ISL kick-off in two weeks’ time.

HFC play another friendly in Goa when they take on SESA Football Academy on Monday.