Hyderabad remains in pole position with a 3-2 win over Goa
Hyderabad extended their stay in pole position by securing a 3-2 win against Goa in ‘Match 95’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season. A Bartholomew Ogbeche brace and a Joao Victor strike comprised the Nizams’ three goals, whilst Jorge Ortiz and Devendra Murgaonkar were on target for the Gaurs.
Hyderabad head coach Manolo Marquez made two changes to the team that won against Bengaluru. Having served his one-game suspension, Asish Rai replaced Nim Dorjee Tamang in the starting XI while Joel Chianese was preferred to Javi Siverio.
On the other hand, Goa head coach Derrick Pereira made three changes to his team after a 2-0 defeat against ATK Mohun Bagan. Edu Bedia returned to the midfield in Glan Martins’ place, while to maintain overseas count, Dylan Fox was sacrificed for Saviour Gama. Leander D’Cunha also made a comeback with Seriton Fernandes dropping to the bench.
The Gaurs had an early chance in the 4th minute when a long ball found Ortiz through on goal, but his effort was saved by Hyderabad custodian Laxmikant Kattimani. The Nizams’ first big opportunity came in the 22nd minute when Ogbeche darted down the left flank before cutting the ball back for Souvik Chakrabarti, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide.
The deadlock was eventually broken three minutes later by Marquez’s men, with the Nigerian marksman being involved again. Rai delivered a good cross from the right flank and despite being marked by white shirts, Ogbeche jumped highest to head the ball home.
However, the league leaders could not hold on to the lead for long as Goa found a way back in the 35th minute. Ortiz found himself at the receiving end of another lofted ball from the deep and this time around, he did manage to get his shot past a diving Kattimani.
Pereira would have wanted his players to keep the scoreline at 1-1 at least till half-time but that was not to be as the Nizams struck again in the 41st minute, courtesy of an absolute howler from the Goa custodian Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem. Ogbeche pulled the trigger from outside the box and his shot was directed straight at the young goalkeeper who made a hash of what should have been a plain and simple gather.
Dheeraj Singh’s howler helped Hyderabad restore their lead
Unlike the first half, the initial phase of the second half was not as enthralling as both teams canceled each other out in the midfield. Rai went for glory in the 67th minute but failed to keep his shot on target.
Three minutes later, Victor also joined the party and had a pop at goal from outside the box, and he did manage to keep his shot on target. The Brazilian midfielder’s effort took a deflection off Anwar Ali on its way into the back of the net.
With the deficit being doubled, Pereira needed his players to retaliate immediately and they did just that in the 73rd minute of the game. Brandon Fernandes delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left flank and substitute Murgaonkar did the rest to head it past Kattimani into the top corner. The Gaurs had one last opportunity of rescuing a point in the 87th minute when another substitute in Sanson Pereira went for glory, but the danger was averted by the veteran goalie.
With this win, Hyderabad remains in pole position and will now take on Kerala Blasters on Wednesday, whereas ninth-placed Goa will lock horns with Mumbai City on Saturday.