Tag: Hyderabad FC

by Abhishek Shukla

NorthEast United FC aim to capitalise upon Hyderabad FC’s late-game susceptibility with their direct attacking approach

Hyderabad, December 22: Hyderabad FC are hosting NorthEast United FC when the two sides face off in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on December 23, Monday, at the G.M.C Balayogi Athletic Stadium at 7:30 pm IST. Hyderabad FC are unbeaten in their last nine matches against the Highlanders (W6 D3), the longest such streak they hold against any team in the competition.

NorthEast United FC enter this match on the back of two victories and a draw in their last five matches. However, they have also faced two defeats on the bounce and head coach Juan Pedro Benali will want to arrest this run with a positive result on the road. Currently, they are positioned eighth in the points table with 15 points from 11 matches. Hyderabad FC are in the 12th place after garnering seven points with two victories and a draw in 11 encounters. They parted ways with head coach Thangboi Singto and are targeting a better run for the  remaining part of the campaign.

NorthEast United FC have dropped 12 points from winning positions this season, the most in the league. In contrast, Hyderabad are one of only three sides yet to lose a point from a winning position. The visitors will have to be cautious of this tendency since they have conceded 18 goals in 11 clashes this season, though Hyderabad FC, too, have to regain their feet in offence – having netted seven times in ISL 2024-25, which is the second-least in the league after Mohammedan SC (5).

Hyderabad FC’s quest for balance

• Clean Sheets: Hyderabad FC have managed two clean sheets in their first 11 matches this season, a tally they have bettered only twice in the ISL (7 in 2022-23 and 3 in 2020-21). They will be buoyant by the fact that the Highlanders haven’t scored in their last two outings.

• Final Quarter Struggles: Hyderabad FC have scored only once in the final 30 minutes of their matches, the lowest in the league. However, they have conceded six goals during the same period, highlighting potential late-game vulnerability. The team will have to discover a balance between their duties on both ends of the field to avoid letting the game slip away from their hold.

NorthEast United FC’s attacking flair

• Direct Attacks: NorthEast United FC have recorded 30 direct attacks this season, the most by any team, with three leading to goals, which is a league-high shared with Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Kerala Blasters FC. Direct attacks are open-play sequences that begin just inside a team’s own half, progress with at least 50% of movement toward the opposition’s goal, and conclude with either a shot or a touch inside the opposition’s box.

• Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s Impact: The Highlanders’ forward has been a standout performer, contributing 15 goal involvements, winning eight points for his side, and boasting an xG differential of +4.98. His clinical finishing (11 goals from an xG of 6.02) makes him a key player for their frontline.

Coaches Corner

“The players have a positive attitude and mindset”

Hyderabad FC’s interim head coach Shameel Chembakath praised the attitude of his players in the buildup to this match.

“We have had four training sessions. They have gone well. The players have responded in a good manner and they have a positive attitude and mindset,” Chembakath said.

“We should not take it easy”

NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali underlined the strengths of the home side in the pre-match press conference.

“We have been preparing for a while. It’s a very important game for us after two defeats. We should not take it easy as Hyderabad FC are a team that create a lot of chances and are a very fast side too,” Benali said.

Head-to-Head

In their 10 matches so far, Hyderabad FC have secured six wins, while three matches ended in draws. NorthEast United FC have won once.

Key Players & Milestones

• NorthEast United FC’s Guillermo Fernandez averages six aerial duels per game, the joint second-highest in the league (Javi Siverio – 7.3 & Wilmar Jordan – 6). His aerial prowess could spell trouble for the Hyderabad FC backline.

• Hyderabad FC’s Ramhlunchhunga, has taken 21 shots this season – the most by an Indian player yet to score. The 23-year-old will be keen to set this record straight in the coming encounter.

• Hyderabad FC’s Lenny Rodrigues has been involved in three errors leading to opposition shots, including two that resulted in goals. The home team will want him to embrace a more composed outlook at the centre of the park.

ISL Fantasy

Andrei Alba (5.0cr)

The Hyderabad FC player has earned the most fantasy points (48) for them this season

Alaaeddine Ajaraie (8.3cr)

The forward has bagged the highest ISL fantasy points (88) for his team in 2024-25

The Indian Super League will be streamed live on JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam) and telecast live on Sports 18 – 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam), Asianet Plus (Malayalam). Additionally, select ISL matches will be telecast live on Sports 18 – 1, Sports 18 – 2, Sports 18 – Khel, and Star Sports 3.

by Abhishek Shukla

Odisha FC scales to the top of the table with an emphatic win over Hyderabad

Odisha FC steamrolled past Hyderabad FC by 3-0 at the Gachibowli Stadium tonight to bring up their fourth consecutive victory in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season. The Juggernauts’ in-form striking duo Diego Mauricio and Roy Krishna were on the money as the visitors capped off a convincing win to move to the top of the points table, displacing Kerala Blasters FC.



Joao Victor is the sole foreigner starting matches for Hyderabad FC at the moment, and accordingly there is added responsibility in his shoulders to uplift both his performance as well as that of the entire team around him. Unfortunately for them, it was a misplaced pass by him that led to Mauricio pouncing upon the chance and hitting the ball past Gurmeet Singh to open the scoring for Sergio Lobera & Co.

Throughout the game, Odisha FC went about their business with an impeccable sense of assurance. They perhaps expected to take three points from this encounter, and the sheer individual brilliance in their ranks blended with the seamless consistency with which they operate under Lobera came together to ensure that they suffered no hiccups in their pursuit of this victory.



Isak Vanlalruatfela has been one of the most improved domestic stars in Odisha FC this season, and it was a moment of magic by him that helped them double the lead before the halftime break. Receiving the ball en route to his way inside the box, Isak demonstrated some quick feet and some innate composure in the final third to find an unmarked Roy Krishna on the right. The Fijian received the squared up pass, and had no hesitation in merely slotting the ball into the back of the net, adding another feather to the illustrious season that he has had so far.

After Isak, it was Princeton Rebello’s turn to show his prowess. Having spent time with Lobera at FC Goa, Princeton moved to Odisha FC when his former head coach returned to the league. Whilst chances haven’t come across frequently so far, he gave a good account of the strengths that he possesses, dazzling ahead through the centre, charging towards the Hyderabad FC defence before splitting it wide open for an onrushing Mauricio to strike the ball in and get his second goal of the match in the 75th minute.

Key Performer of the Match

Diego Mauricio (Odisha FC)

The Brazilian consciously limited his involvement in the proceedings in the final third. He made only 14 passes, but completed 10 of them, in addition to being extremely efficient whenever opportunities came his way to bag the brace. The clinical show he put on tonight was arguably the biggest differential point between the two opponents here.

What’s next for both teams?

Odisha FC will be squaring off against FC Goa on February 9, whereas Hyderabad FC will play Mohun Bagan Super Giant the following day.

Brief Scores

Odisha FC 3 (Diego Mauricio 27’ 75, Roy Krishna 45+1’) – 0 Hyderabad FC

Stats Pack:

image.png
by Abhishek Shukla

Fresh-faced Hyderabad FC host unstoppable Odisha FC at home

Hyderabad FC will contest the in-form Odisha FC at the Gachibowli Stadium on February 5, Monday, in pursuit of their maiden victory in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24.


This match marks the commencement of the 14th matchweek of the current season of the ISL, with the home side still striving hard to catch hold of the coveted three points. They faced a 2-0 defeat to FC Goa in their previous encounter, with a Carlos Martinez brace depriving them of any point. Joao Victor was the only foreign international starting the game for Hyderabad FC and the situation is such that head coach Thangboi Singto has to make do with the available set of players, most of whom are from the domestic contingent.


Ahead of the fixture against the Gaurs, Singto had tried to look at the positive side of things, saying that this is a remarkable opportunity for him to do something noteworthy amidst the prevailing challenges. He needs to stay true to that perspective even against the Juggernauts, who last lost an ISL fixture back in late October this season. They have developed an impeccable record on the road this season, remaining unbeaten in their last four away games and have also emerged victorious in their previous two games in front of Hyderabad FC.


Moreover, their tendency to overcome difficult in-game circumstances has been one of the cornerstones of their success lately. Even against Kerala Blasters FC, Odisha FC showed impressive resolve to strike twice in the second half, thanks to Roy Krishna, and defeated them to get level on points with the top-placed FC Goa.


What’s at stake?Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad FC has a fairly young squad at its disposal and the coming few games gives them an excellent opportunity to hand a proper account of what they could offer in the Indian top-tier. For starters, they need to find some spark in their attacking patterns, having found the back of the net only once in their last six home matches.


They are currently on a seven-game winless run at the Gachibowli, and a victory against one of the favourites of the title could really help reinvigorate the spirits of the fans who must have lost some hope and belief lately. Such issues are evident at the back too, reflecting in their inability to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 12 fixtures in the league. Overall, the season is not transpiring as they would have liked and there are a host of factors that could be held against them for that. However, the immediate concern must be to shove aside those problems and work towards putting up an inspiring performance in search of the elusive victory.


Odisha FC
The Juggernauts now have equal points as FC Goa (27), but have played two more games (13), as compared to the Gaurs (11). The race for the first place in the standings is expected to go down to the wire with the fixture between FC Goa and Odisha FC playing a pivotal role in that later in the season. However, that’s a long journey to chart and the Juggernauts at this point need to ensure that they maximise whatever opportunity comes their way.
To be fair, they have been on a winning spree off late with the only blip being the Kalinga Super Cup final loss to East Bengal FC. They have progressed admirably well in Asia and the seasoned guard of the squad has stepped up to the challenge more often than not, much like how Krishna did in the previous game. Odisha FC has averaged 10.2 sequences of 10+ passes per game in the current season, which signifies how quickly they have adapted to Lobera’s ideas and playing philosophy. They will be confident and hoping to return with all points possible from Hyderabad.


Key Players


Abdul Rabeeh (Hyderabad FC)


Abdul Rabeeh featured for Hyderabad FC in the opening half of the season too, but his prominence and involvement in matches is set to increase in this leg of ISL 2023-24. He will be playing a slightly more advanced role on the field, and that could perhaps help his offensive instincts to come to the fore in a greater capacity. The 23-year-old has created six goal-scoring opportunities in eight games, intercepting thrice, and recording a 77% passing accuracy. Overall, he has made 29 appearances in the ISL, making 17 passes on an average in every 90 minutes and having notched three assists in total. Rabeeh will be up against a full-strength Odisha FC backline, with robust central defenders and dynamic fullbacks. His ability to work his way around them and influence the proceedings to the best of his abilities will be kept close tabs on.


Hitesh Sharma (Odisha FC)
Hitesh Sharma secured a move to Odisha FC from Hyderabad FC in the January transfer window and he will be hoping that his creative capabilities could be put to the best possible use by Lobera and his team. Hitesh can pack a punch whilst playing behind the striker, as his tenacious work ethic, and the desire to win every loose delivery or second ball helping the team retain and recover possession in dangerous areas higher up on the field. He completes almost three-fourth of his attempted passes, and can take a formidable shot from outside of the 18-yard box. Hitesh ticks the basic fundamentals that one would demand from modern-day midfielders, and Lobera almost specialises in bringing the best out of such Indian players. The second half of ISL 2023-24 promises an exciting journey for the 26-year-old.

Head-to-Head
Played – 9
Odisha FC – 4
Hyderabad FC – 4
Draw – 1

Trivia: Teams coached by Sergio Lobera are yet to concede a goal against Hyderabad FC in the ISL.

Team Talk

image.png

The focus is on the recovery for the team, because we have a young squad at the moment but with the senior players the recovery is important,” Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto addressed the quick turnaround time between the team’s match against FC Goa and the coming fixture against Odisha FC. 

image.png

“We need to try to find a way to prepare for the game in the best way possible and not try and find excuses. The team is ready. We need to play three games in seven days and it’s not easy with the travel in between and we have to think about the challenges and not about the problems,” Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera said in the pre-match press conference.

Where to Watch
Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam), News 18 Kerala (Malayalam – select matches) & DD Bangla (Bengali). Fans can also catch the action streaming Live for free on JioCinema, the home of Indian football. In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

Point Table

 WhatsApp Image 2024-02-04 at 4.48.57 PM.jpeg