Post Date: Post Date – 11:30 PM, Friday – November 4th
Defending champions Hyderabad FC look to ride the wave and score three points as they host Odisha FC
Hyderabad: Defending champions Hyderabad FC host Odisha FC in another crucial match this weekend at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli, looking to build on momentum and take three points.
The hosts have just picked up three back-to-back victories, two of them at the Madan Stadium in Hyderabad, and are currently top of the league with 10 points from their first four matches. Odisha FC beat Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC in their previous two games to have a chance to top the ISL standings and win this match.
Josep Gombau’s team have had a great season this season, scoring goals from all areas. Carlos Delgado, Saul Crespo, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio and Nanda Kumar are in good form so far, while the likes of Pedro Martin, Amrinder Singh and Thoiba Singh are also at the top of the game, making Odisha one of the strongest teams in this season’s game.
HFC head coach Manolo Márquez believes the game will be a tough challenge for his side. “Odisha is tactically strong and is a complete team. They will come here to attack and try to win, but we are also a team that wants to win and I think it will be a big win for the audience. It was a very good game,” said the Spaniard.
Current league leaders Hyderabad FC beat North East United in their only away game and have beaten Bengaluru FC and Goa FC 1-0 at home in their last two games.
Bartholomew Ogbeche, Javier Siverio, Halicharan Narzary, Joao Victor and Borja Herrera have been targeted while Mohammad Yasir has been lethal at his feet all season.
The backline of Odei Onaindia, Chinglensana Konsham, Akash Mishra and Nikhil Poojary helped Laxmikant Kattimani keep three clean sheets in a row. HFC can open the gap at the top of the table with a positive result in this game and Manolo Márquez believes his side are well-positioned for this clash.
“It’s always good to choose your starting lineup. But a lot depends on the quality of the opponent. Odisha is a tough team to beat, but we’ve shown that we can win tough games and tomorrow we will be Prepare for this conflict,” Manolo added.
