Guwahati, Oct 13: Defending champions Hyderabad FC opened their account in the ongoing ISL with a thumping 3-0 win over NorthEast United FC here on Thursday.
The visitors dominated the game and it was one-way traffic throughout at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, leaving the hosts demoralised.
Bartholomew Ogbeche opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Player of the Match Halicharan Narzary doubled the lead in the 69th minute, and substitute Borja Herrera ensured the game was done and dusted with his 73rd minute strike.
Trailing by a goal, NEUFC started off well after the break but it was HFC who won a penalty five minutes into the second half. Arindam Bhattacharja, however, made a brilliant save at the NEUFC post to keep the game alive.
However, HFC soon managed to put one past Bhattacharja courtesy a defensive error.
HFC took the lead when Ogbeche, after a fine cross from Mohammad Yasir, got rid of his marker on the far post before finding the back of the net.
In the 53rd minute, HF were awarded a penalty. Ogbeche shot it to the keeper’s left but Bhattacharja guessed it right.
NEUFC had a golden chance to level the scores in the 61st minute but Matt Derbyshire’s header off a cross went wide.
Halicharan scored HFC’s second goal after a massive defensive error by the home team.
Coming off the bench, Borja took no time to make his presence felt and made it 3-0 for HFC with an excellent effort. HFC were the better of the two teams. NEUFC played well but were not consistent enough to test the opposition keeper, suffering their second straight defeat of the season.
This was NEUFC’s first home game of the season but they failed to make use of the familiar setting. HFC drew their opening fixture against Mumbai City FC.
Chennaiyin FC meet Bengaluru FC
The wait is finally over as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will once again be filled with loud cheers as footballing action returns to the city after two and half years when Chennaiyin FC lock horns with Bengaluru FC in a blockbuster southern derby of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 on Friday.
Chennaiyin, making a much-awaited return to the city, come into the match after kickstarting their campaign in style, beating ATK Mohun Bagan 2-1.
During the pre-match press conference on Thursday, skipper Anirudh Thapa told the media that having home support is always an advantage. “It’s a good feeling to be in Chennai, at the Marina Arena with the home crowd after two seasons. We have seen in the past seasons how home and away gives you advantages and disadvantages. Fans finally coming back is a positive thing for us,” he said.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, won their first game against NorthEast United FC 1-0. Head coach Thomas Brdaric spoke about the challenges of the Bengaluru FC game. “We have to be very well prepared to face Bengaluru FC because they are an experienced team. We have to be very careful, especially in our back. We have to defend as a team and put them under pressure so that they don’t fullfill their strengths in our stadium.” (IANS)
