Hyderabad boss Thangboi Singto expects good result from BFC game

Thangboi Singto believes playing strong teams will help the players develop further.

Hyderabad FC are set to face Bengaluru FC in their next Indian Super League fixture at the Gachibowli Stadium on Saturday. The 2023-24 ISL season has started poorly for the Nizams. They have lost three out of four games and remain one of the two teams in the division without a single win on board.

Hyderabad FC step into the fixture against Bengaluru FC with a draw in their last outing against Mumbai City FC. The injury-time equaliser saw HFC secure their first point of the season and go home with a happier mindset. Head coach, Thangboi Singto, expects his players to build on that result and secure more points going forward.

He was joined by forward Aaren D’Silva in the pre-match press conference. Here are the excerpts from the conversation:

Positives from the draw with Mumbai City FC

Thangboi Singto believes that the draw against Mumbai City FC could lead to better results in forthcoming games. In this context, he said, “The positive we can take back is that at least we started and got a point. That is a positive thing. And from that stage going forward, I think in terms of training and planning, it has been excellent. We have everybody training well, and responding to the tactical training and the changes we want to bring in.”

A good challenge

The head coach referred to Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, suggesting that BFC have the best Indian player and goalkeeper, respectively. Playing against such players is a good challenge and he expects HFC to come out with a positive result. “This is a good challenge for any team to play against the best. The way we have prepared this week, I think Saturday should be a good day for us in terms of results.”

Aaren D’Silva on playing as a striker

Aaren D’Silva was frequently played as a winger from the bench under Manolo Marquez. However, since the new regime has come in, D’Silva is enjoying more playing time as the No.9. Speaking on his role, he said, “It’s difficult not playing as a striker, but I have it in me. Only the goals are missing. I don’t know if I’d say I’m a bit rusty now, but for sure, the rust is coming off. I believe in that and for sure that I need to score, as a striker.”

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