Bambolim, March 11: Their consistency through the season will be tested to the core when play-offs stage first timers Hyderabad FC face former champions ATK Mohun Bagan in a blockbuster first leg of the second semi-final in the Indian Super League here on Saturday.
Hyderabad sat atop the standings for many weeks before Jamshedpur FC dethroned them while ATKMB found their mojo back under Juan Ferrando after former coach Antonio Lopez Habas parted ways with the Mariners midway into the season.
Hyderabad are in the midst of their most successful season in ISL. They finished third in the league stage and qualified for their maiden semi-finals, but their dominance was there for all to see.
Manolo Marquez’s men won 11 of their 20 games and were in pole position to win the League Shield but for Jamshedpur who thrashed them 3-0 in a crucial game towards the end of the league stages.
It was a depleted Hyderabad side and the result was an aberration by all means to what has been a spectacular season for them.
ATK Mohun Bagan, meanwhile, have had a massive turnaround under Ferrando, losing just once and winning 14 games to finish third in the table.
ATKMB have an unbeaten record against Hyderabad. ATKMB has the better record against their rivals this season, with a win and a draw in previous meetings. (PTI)
