Hyderabad FC confirm playoffs spot with win over Kerala Blasters
(Courtesy : ISL Media)
Bartholomew Ogbeche and Javier Siverio scored the goals for the Nizams.
Hyderabad FC qualified for the semifinals for the first time with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Kerala Blasters FC in a rip-roaring Indian Super League encounter at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim here on Wednesday.
Bartholomew Ogbeche got Hyderabad in front in the 28th minute with Javier Siverio doubling the margin in the 87th minute to make it 35 points from 18 games and stay firmly in pole position. Kerala fought hard with Alvaro Vazquez at the heart of their second-half stellar show but in the end, Hyderabad FC held firm with the defence and Laxmikant Kattimani doing the job for Manolo Marquez's side.
Vincy Barretto scored a consolation goal for Kerala in stoppage time but it was too little too by then. The result means Kerala Blasters stay in fifth place with 27 points from 17 outings, Mumbai only a point above them at fourth after their 1-0 win over SC East Bengal on Tuesday.
[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]
Kerala replaced Jorge Pereyra Diaz, who was serving a one-match ban for his 'violent conduct' in the last game against ATK Mohun Bagan, with Chencho Gyeltshen upfront.
With a lot at stake, both teams approached the game with a safety-first mindset as the defences looked solid, not willing to blink first. It needed a special effort to break the deadlock and Ogbeche -- who else -- provided the spark to unlock the Kerala Blasters rearguard with a deft touch and then a powerful finish to take his tally to a whopping 17 goals this season.
Rohit Danu headed in a pin-point cross inside the box for Ogbeche to control the ball, turn sharply and fire a rocket of a shot past the keeper and into the net.
Kerala Blasters responded with an attempt that found the crossbar from a Chencho Gyeltshen left-footer after the Bhutan striker was set up by Harmanjot Khabra who flicked on a Adrian Luna corner in his path. At halftime, league leaders Hyderabad FC led 1-0.
The second half started to some end-to-end stuff as both teams pressed the accelerator. First Chencho spurned a gilt-edged chance, giving Laxmikant Kattimani enough time to come off his line and close him down despite being one on one with him. Khabra then hit the bar from a corner before Alvaro Vazquez showed his class, getting past two defenders with a cheeky back-flick but shooting straight at the keeper.
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]
At the other end, Prabhsukhan Gill pulled off a brilliant double save, first keeping Rohit Danu at bay to then get up in a flash and deny Ogbeche from close. Kattimani was not far behind in Hyderabad's goal, denying Vazquez's volley with a dive to his left. Vazquez ran Hyderabad FC ragged with his incisive play as he came close to scoring again, sending his attempt just over.
Finally, after a host of missed efforts at both ends, Hyderabad FC doubled their lead to seal their semi berth as substitute Siverio headed in a Nikhil Poojary cross with Gill only getting a faint hand to it.
Substitute Barreto scored in the 90th minute, sending a rocket of a strike from outside the box into the top corner to give Kerala Blasters fans something to cheer for.
For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.
- I-League 2024-25: Full updated squad of Gokulam Kerala
- How many players from their home state/region does each ISL team have?
- Origin and history of Mohun Bagan football club
- Kylian Mbappe considering retiring from international football after recent omission from France squad: Report
- It's been my childhood dream to be part of Indian national team: Vibin Mohanan
- Petr Kratky highlights this Mumbai City FC player's performance against Kerala Blasters
- Mohun Bagan not be fined by AFC after recognising their case as 'Event of Force Majeure'
- How much bonus did Vinicius Jr miss out on after losing Ballon d'Or 2024 award?
- Mats Hummels' girlfriend: Meet Nicola Cavanis, her job, Instagram & more
- Ballon d'Or 2024: List of all award winners
- How many players from their home state/region does each ISL team have?
- Want to watch India live in action against Malaysia? Find out how
- Top 10 best football matches to watchout for in November International break
- How Manolo Marquez is trying to take Indian football team forward, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu reveals
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu identifies three key players for success against Malaysia