Football

In a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Nehru Stadium, Hyderabad FC staged a remarkable comeback to snatch a 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters. The match initially seemed destined for a comfortable Blasters win, but Hyderabad's resilience and determination proved decisive.Kerala Blasters began the match with a dominant display, slicing through Hyderabad's defense with ease. Mohammed Aimen and Adrian Luna were particularly impressive on the left flank, creating numerous scoring opportunities. The home side's efforts were rewarded in the 13th minute when Korou Singh delivered a precise cross to striker Jesus Jimenez, who tapped it in with ease.However, Hyderabad refused to be disheartened. Towards the end of the first half, Andrei Alba capitalized on a pass from Parag Shrivas to score a stunning equalizer with a rising shot. The goal transformed Hyderabad, instilling confidence and belief in the team.After the break, Edmilson Correia came on as a substitute for Hyderabad and nearly gave the visitors the lead in the 55th minute. However, goalkeeper Som Kumar made a brilliant save to deny him. K.P. Rahul's introduction 10 minutes later brought a renewed sense of urgency to Blasters' play, as he sent dangerous crosses into the box from the right.Just when Blasters fans thought they were on the verge of a goal, Hyderabad struck again. The visitors earned a controversial penalty, despite replays showing that defender Hormipam did not handle the ball. Alba stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick, giving Hyderabad a 2-1 lead.Despite their best efforts, Kerala Blasters were unable to find an equalizer. Hyderabad held on to their slender advantage, securing a valuable three points that lifted them to seventh place in the ISL standings. Blasters, on the other hand, remained in 10th place after their third consecutive loss.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Hyderabad FC, securing a 2-0 triumph in the Indian Super League. The Mariners' victory propelled them to second place in the standings, trailing only Bengaluru FC by three points.The match commenced with a cautious approach from both teams, but Mohun Bagan seized the initiative in the 37th minute. Anirudh Thapa's incisive through ball found Manvir Singh, who displayed exceptional composure to round goalkeeper Lalbiakhlua Jongte and slot home the opening goal.Hyderabad FC attempted to respond, but Mohun Bagan's defense remained resolute. The Mariners extended their lead in the 55th minute through a well-executed free-kick. Greg Stewart's perfectly weighted delivery was met by Subhasish Bose, who headed the ball into the net.The second half saw Mohun Bagan adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on maintaining their advantage. Hyderabad FC pressed forward in search of an equalizer, but the Mariners' defense held firm.Mohun Bagan's victory was a testament to their clinical finishing and disciplined defense. Manvir Singh's goal was his fifth against Hyderabad FC, while Bose's header marked his first goal of the season.The Mariners' triumph was a significant boost to their title aspirations. They have now won four of their last five matches and are well-positioned to challenge for the championship. Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to improve their form.

Punjab FC continued its impressive start to the Indian Super League (ISL) season, securing a dominant 2-0 victory over Hyderabad FC on Wednesday. This marks the first time Punjab has won three consecutive games in ISL history, showcasing the team's determination to overcome the absence of their talismanic skipper Luka Majcen.With an unchanged line-up and a clean sheet for the first time this season, Punjab started the match on the front foot. Mushaga Bakenga missed an early chance, hitting the upright in the seventh minute. Hyderabad's Ramhlunchhunga had a shot saved by Punjab goalkeeper Ravi Kumar in the 12th minute, but the visitors struggled to create many clear-cut opportunities.Ezequiel Vidal broke the deadlock for Punjab in the 35th minute with a well-placed free kick into the bottom left corner. The second goal came in the 71st minute when Filip Mrzjlak tapped into an empty net after a through ball from Bakenga. Mrzjlak could have scored more but missed the target, while Bakenga also had a few wide shots.Hyderabad's night worsened when Leander D'Cunha received a second yellow card in the final 15 minutes, reducing them to 10 men. The result leaves Hyderabad with only one win from the entire last season, while Punjab FC now sits atop the ISL table.Punjab's coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis, praised his team's performance, saying, "We are very happy with the result. We played well and deserved to win. We have a good team spirit and we are working hard to improve."Hyderabad's coach, Thangboi Singto, acknowledged the challenges his team faced, stating, "We had a difficult game today. Punjab played very well and we couldn't match their pace. We need to work on our mistakes and come back stronger in the next match."

Punjab FC, riding high on two consecutive victories, will face Hyderabad FC in a midweek clash on Wednesday. A win for Punjab would mark their first three-game winning streak in ISL history.Currently third in the standings with six points, Punjab aims to maintain its momentum and potentially take the top spot. The absence of Slovenian striker Luka Majcen has not hindered Punjab's attacking prowess, with Felip Mrzljak stepping up with assists and youngster Nihal Sudeesh impressing with goals and threatening runs.Norwegian Mushaga Bakenga, who has taken on Majcen's role, is yet to find the back of the net, but coach Panagiotis Dilmperis remains confident in his abilities. "Bakenga is a quality player who's played at the highest level. He needs time to adjust, but I have full faith in him," Dilmperis said.Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, has struggled in its only game so far, losing 0-3 to Bengaluru FC. The absence of talented young striker Joseph Sunny due to a knee injury will further hinder their chances. Abdul Rabeeh will be hoping to make an impact for Hyderabad, who managed only a single win last season."We need to create more scoring opportunities and be clinical. The effort from the boys has been good, but we must improve tactically," head coach Thangboi Singto admitted.Punjab FC will be confident of extending their winning streak, while Hyderabad FC will be desperate for their first points of the season. The match promises to be an exciting battle between two teams with contrasting fortunes.

Bengaluru FC (BFC) will face Hyderabad FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Thursday, aiming to build on their positive start to the season. BFC secured a 1-0 victory over East Bengal in their opening fixture, with Vinith Venkatesh scoring the winning goal.Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, is making its ISL debut and faces a challenging task against BFC. The club has undergone a financial transformation under the ownership of the BC Jindal group, but concerns remain about its on-field performance. Hyderabad FC finished last in the 2023-24 ISL season, recording only one win in 22 matches.Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto acknowledges the team's need to improve. "We want to build things now, and the next two or three matches will be crucial since a few overseas players are yet to join the team. Once they join us, understand us, and we understand them, we will have a clearer picture of where we want to reach," Singto said.BFC will be looking to improve its head-to-head record against Hyderabad FC, having won only two of their last 10 ISL meetings. The match will be a test of BFC's ability to maintain their momentum and Hyderabad FC's determination to make a strong start to their ISL campaign.

Chennaiyin FC and Hyderabad FC, languishing at the bottom of the Indian Super League standings, face off in a crucial encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. With just six matches remaining in the regular season, both teams are desperate for a victory to boost their playoff hopes.Chennaiyin, currently 11th with 20 points from 18 games, has a slight edge over Hyderabad, who are 12th with 17 points. A win for Owen Coyle's men would take them to 21 points and within touching distance of the sixth spot.Coyle, however, is wary of the threat posed by Hyderabad, despite their winless record this season. "This is the most dangerous game of the season," he said. "Hyderabad is not going to hand us anything. They've got nothing to lose and they'll play with that freedom."Chennaiyin has struggled for goals this season, scoring just 18 in 18 matches. Coyle acknowledges the need for improvement in front of goal. "Yes, we can be far more clinical," he said. "I think we missed more big chances than many teams in the league. But the good thing is that we are creating chances. I'd be more worried if we were not creating chances."Hyderabad, on the other hand, has a daunting task ahead of them. They have yet to win a game this season and are without the services of suspended skipper Joao Victor and Mark Zothanpuia. However, young coach Thangboi Singto remains optimistic."We have been working hard and we are confident that we can get a result in Chennai," he said. "We know it will be difficult, but we are up for the challenge."The match promises to be a tense and exciting affair, with both teams desperate for a victory. Chennaiyin will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and improve their goal-scoring record, while Hyderabad will be hoping to break their winless streak and boost their playoff hopes.