Amidst the rain-filled sky and puddle-filled outfield at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad, home team Hyderabad FC secured its first points of the 2024-25 ISL campaign with a gritty 0-0 draw against Chennaiyin FC.
Despite going down to ten men in the 71st minute, the Nawabs held on to secure a point, in what would feel like a win for them and a loss for Owen Coyle’s CFC.
#5, A point that would feel like three for Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad FC came into this game under a lot of pressure. Three games with zero points and no goals, one might have forgiven for thinking three will become four.
But they did not. Thangboi Singto’s young group of players showed tremendous resilience and in fact, had a fair share of opportunities to take the lead as well, especially in the first half.
When push came to shove in the 71st minute with Parag Shrivas getting sent off for a second bookable offense, HFC did not let it affect them and with a bit of luck, they have finally gotten off the mark in ISL 11.
#4, Cause for concern in the CFC camp?
Three matches, one win, one loss, and one draw. 35 shots in their last two games and no goals to show for.
Despite having a variety of profiles in attack, Chennaiyin are just not able to get the ball in the net.
The same front three that started against Mohammedan SC was preferred in today’s game and it wasn’t until Gurkirat and Jordan Gil came on when Chennai found its stride and created more chances.
The experiment of continuing Irfan, a striker, in the wing, is not paying dividends at the moment and Farruk Chaudhary too has looked lackluster since his brace against Odisha FC.
A lot of questions to ponder over for the Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle.
#3, Owen Coyle highlights lack of killer instinct
Chennaiyin FC’s head coach Owen Coyle also highlighted his team’s lack of composure in front of goal.
“We need to be more clinical. The final ball needs to be better. Their (Hyderabad FC) keeper pulled off an unbelievable save against Brambilla’s header. For us, its a clean sheet, first of the season and another point away from home,” he said after the match.
Owen was also displeased with the officiating when during the first half, Brambilla was fouled at the edge of the box but the referee played advantage instead of calling a foul.
“When Brambilla was fouled and the ball was played out wide, that was not an advantage. The free kick should have been given at the edge of the box. I spoke to the referee at halftime to ask about it and the frustration is from the fact that we want to win games and be competitive,” Coyle added.
#2, ‘A deserved point,’ says Singto
Thangboi Singto was one happy man talking about the match. “Very happy. Can’t ask much more from the boys. Credit to the team. We stuck together. Chennai are a very strong physical side and they had more chances but then again, I am very happy for the team,” he said.
Although things look up for HFC, this was the second instance this year where they’ve gone down to ten men. Singto opined that it is all part of the learning curve for his young squad.
“It (the red card) is part of the learning for the boys. We will be missing one for the next game but one is coming back. Everybody makes mistakes. We just have to support the player. I don’t mind it.” he added.
#1, Alex Saji, captain fantastic
At 24 years of age, Alex Saji stood tall against the barrage of attacks against Chennaiyin.
He deservedly won the man of the match for his heroic performance against the marina machans.
The newly appointed club captain has become a fan-favorite and he was touted as one of the youngsters to look out for, and he is proving his mettle and this performance is something to build on for the Kerala-born defender.