The Nawabs concede three in lacklustre second half at the Kalinga

Bhubaneswar: Hyderabad FC fell to a tough defeat against Odisha FC here on Friday.

Stefan Sapic (30’) gave HFC the lead going into the break.

But goals from Mourtada Fall (47’), Hugo Boumous (49’), and Rahim Ali (70’) helped Odisha take three crucial points in their race to the top six.

The hosts started the game calm in possession.

But it was Hyderabad who managed to trouble the Odisha backline time and again before Sapic found the breakthrough at the half-hour mark.

Ramhlunchhunga’s perseverance paid off and Muhammed Rafi got an assist for the big center-back’s second goal of the season.

Not our night in Odisha!

Need a strong response at home on Wednesday 👊#OFCHFC #TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/qRRdbfeCiz

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) February 14, 2025

Hyderabad went into the break with a lead but Sergio Lobera’s men came out for the second half on the front foot and took the game away.

Fall found space at the far post after Sapic had been blocked off and scored the equalizer with a thumping header.

Boumous got a lucky deflection after a weak shot just minutes later and Arshdeep Singh was beaten again.

The ball trickled down into the far post as Hyderabad’s lead evaporated less than five minutes after the break.

However, Shameel Chembakath’s boys kept probing before Rahim Ali’s finish from a narrow-angle all but sealed the deal.

Need to come back stronger 👊#OFCHFC #TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/NIpHkVIQjU

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) February 15, 2025

Alex Saji and Muhammed Rafi did well to keep the likes of Diego Mauricio quiet for most of the game.

Chhunga was Hyderabad’s best outlet in attack but it was a massive performance from Stefan Sapic on the night, who was unlucky to end up conceding three.

Ayush Adhikari replaced the unavailable Andrei Alba in midfield and hardly put a foot wrong.

But it was just not a night for the Nawabs, who will return back from Odisha empty-handed.

They will look to bounce back strongly when in their next game when they take on Mumbai City FC at home.

The Islanders travel to Hyderabad in what will be another crucial game in the race to the top-6.

Join the Yellow and Black at the Gachibowli Stadium on Wednesday, February 19. Book your tickets on TicketGenie, here…