ISL 2022-23 HFC 2-0 EBFC: Hyderabad FC close the gap to Mumbai City FC for League Shield honours

Javier
Siverio
scored
the
opening
goal
of
the
match
in
the
9th
minute
and
substitute
Aaren
D’Silva
wrapped
up
the
three
points
in
the
93rd
minute.

The
defending
champions
will
have
a
chance
to
reduce
the
gap
further
as
their
next
game
will
be
against
the
unbeaten
Islanders,
in
a
fixture
that
could
decide
the
ultimate
winner
of
the
League
Shield.

Eager
to
stay
hot
at
the
heels
of
Mumbai
City
FC,
Hyderabad
FC
got
off
to
a
flyer.
Borja
Herrera
whipped
a
looping
cross
into
the
box
from
the
left
side
of
midfield
and
it
dipped
straight
onto
the
head
of
an
unmarked
Siverio.
The
striker’s
cushioning
header
saw
the
ball
fly
in
at
the
far
post
as
Kamaljit
was
rooted
in
his
spot.

The
East
Bengal
FC
shot-stopper
was
alert
to
deny
Siverio
a
second
goal
minutes
later
when
Hitesh
Sharma’s
shot
from
inside
the
box
came
straight
to
the
Spaniard
and
his
close-range
shot
was
blocked
by
Kamaljit.

Chennaiyin
FC
vs
ATK
Mohun
Bagan:
Preview

Midway
through
the
first
half,
in
a
game
being
dominated
by
the
defending
champions,
the
Torch
Bearers
advanced
into
Hyderabad
FC’s
half
after
a
series
of
good
passes,
only
to
mistime
the
decisive
pass
inside
the
box.
Minutes
later,
Lalchungnunga’s
long
throw
from
the
right
flank
was
headed
onto
the
crossbar
by
Suhair
VP.

Less
than
ten
minutes
from
the
break,
Bartholomew
Ogbeche
slid
a
pass
straight
to
Siverio,
who
laid
it
off
for
an
oncoming
Rakip.
The
full-back
entered
the
box
and
forced
another
save
out
of
Kamaljit
from
a
tight
angle
as
Hyderabad
FC
went
in
at
half-time
with
a
narrow
advantage.

Rakip’s
first
start
for
the
club
lasted
only
45
minutes
as
Jerry
Lalrinzuala
came
on
to
replace
the
left-back
for
the
second
half.
Four
minutes
in,
Mohammad
Yasir’s
sliced
clearance
passed
the
ball
straight
to
Cleiton
Silva
in
front
of
goal,
but
the
Brazilian
could
not
keep
his
effort
on
target.

In
the
66th
minute,
a
well-worked
Hyderabad
FC
corner
was
cleared
away
but
only
as
far
as
Ogbeche,
who
attempted
an
overhead
kick
but
saw
his
effort
go
wide.
Moments
later,
at
the
other
end,
Silva
beat
Odei
Onaindia
but
failed
to
beat
the
outstretched
foot
of
Gurmeet
Singh
with
his
goal-bound
strike.

In
the
third
minute
of
stoppage
time,
a
cheeky
back-heel
from
Ogbeche
allowed
D’Silva
to
have
a
run
at
goal
from
a
tight
angle.
The
substitute
kept
his
composure
and
buried
it
past
Kamaljit
to
seal
the
victory.

The
defending
champions
will
go
into
their
break
four
points
behind
Mumbai
City
FC,
with
their
next
game
against
the
league
leaders
on
February
4
as
the
title
race
intensifies.

East
Bengal
FC
have
been
dealt
a
blow
in
their
race
to
the
playoffs.
The
Torch
Bearers
are
still
in
ninth
place,
eight
points
off
the
final
playoff
spot,
which
their
next
opponents,
FC
Goa,
currently
occupy.

Key
Stats:

–
Borja
Herrera
created
4
chances,
attempted
5
tackles,
made
3
interceptions
and
3
blocks

–
Kamaljit
Singh
produced
5
saves,
made
5
punches
and
3
clearances

–
Akash
Mishra
attempted
5
tackles,
made
2
clearances
and
2
interceptions