Hyderabad FC kicked off their Super Heroes campaign with a 2-1 win over Aizawl FC in Group B at the Payanad Stadium
Post Date – 11:45 PM, Sunday – 4/9/23
Manjeri: Former Indian Super League (ISL) champions Hyderabad FC kicked off their Heroes Super Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Aizawl FC in Group B at the Payanad Stadium on Sunday.
Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez has decided to rest some experienced campaigners, including leading striker Bartholomew Ogbeche, and offer a slate for someone who didn’t have much game time during the ISL earlier this season. Chance.
Former I-League champions Aizawl FC beat TRAU FC in qualifying to advance to the group stage. Despite the reputation of their opponents, Aizawal looks to be a firm side, willing to fight a close fight.
After an initial confrontation, Hyderabad FC, who had the upper hand, broke the deadlock with a counterattack in the 17th minute. It all started when Aizawl FC failed to take advantage of the corner and the ball was cleared by the Hyderabad defenders. The receiving winger, Abdul Rabeeh, sprinted past Aizawl’s defence, passing the ball to Australian midfielder Joel Joseph Chainese, who found him at half-time Spaniard Borja Gonzalez (Borja Gonzalez).
Borja hit the ball at the far post but the outstretched hands of Aizawl FC goalkeeper Vanal Heriat Puja saved the initial effort, only to see Chainese score from the rebound to make it 1-0.
After arrears of fees, Aizawl FC stepped up their attack and tied Hyderabad’s possession in short order. It didn’t help, however, as the Aizawl boys failed to translate their efforts into goals.
After the change of sides, the Brazilian midfielder Victor of the Hyderabad team came off the bench and scored a penalty kick in the 50th minute, 2-0. Referee Harish Kundu did not hesitate to award a penalty when Aizawl FC captain Kim Kima fouled Aaren D’Silva in the box.
Hyderabad FC would have won by a bigger margin if it wasn’t for Hriatpuia’s heroic goalkeeping, who has done an excellent job of saving Aizawl FC from more misery on several occasions.
Van Velas pulled one back for the I-League side in second-half stoppage time and his strike from distance could easily be described as the match’s best goal. But with little time left for further action, it was a pity that the goal could only be described as a consolation for Aizawl. Even Villas himself did little to celebrate the strike, knowing his side would drop all three points on the pitch.
