Hyderabad FC managed to secure their first point of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign after a goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC at the Gachibowli Stadium.
A resilient Hyderabad down to ten men
Hyderabad’s defensive resilience was put to the test after being reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute, following Parag Shrivas’ red card for a second yellow. Shrivas was dismissed after fouling Chennaiyin FC’s forward, Connor Shields, disrupting the home side’s momentum. However, Hyderabad FC held their ground, shutting down any attempts from Chennaiyin FC’s attackers to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Despite the setback, Hyderabad FC’s head coach, Thangboi Singto, praised his team’s defensive discipline. “We were disappointed to lose Parag, but I’m proud of the way the team kept their focus and fought until the final whistle,” Singto said after the match.
Hyderabad’s early pressure and missed chances
From the onset, Hyderabad FC seemed determined to stamp their authority on the game, taking advantage of the attacking prowess of Cy Goddard and Allan Paulista. The duo caused considerable problems for Chennaiyin’s defense by dragging players out wide and creating space in the middle.
One of the game’s standout moments came in the ninth minute when Goddard found himself in a dangerous position just yards from the goal. His delivery to Paulista, though, went unrewarded as the latter squandered what was arguably Hyderabad’s best chance to take an early lead.
That missed opportunity came back to haunt them as Chennaiyin FC started to grow into the game, with forward Daniel Chima Chukwu leading the charge. His fleet-footed dribbling in the 35th minute saw him skip past Hyderabad defenders Alex Saji and Isaac Vanmalsawma, but goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh stood firm to deny him from an acute angle. The two sides went into the half-time break without troubling the scoreline.
Chennaiyin FC miss the chance to seize control
Chennaiyin FC, coached by Owen Coyle, sought to capitalize on Hyderabad’s numerical disadvantage after Shrivas’ sending off. Towering defender Ryan Edwards had the best chance to break the deadlock in the 73rd minute when he was left unmarked during a corner kick. However, his header failed to hit the target, letting Hyderabad off the hook.
Hyderabad FC’s defensive discipline, highlighted by Alex Saji’s performance, saw them through to the final whistle. Saji completed 11 out of his 17 attempted passes and made eight crucial clearances. His composure at the back was key in helping Hyderabad FC withstand Chennaiyin’s pressure.
“Our goal was to maintain the clean sheet and we did that well despite the difficult circumstances,” said Saji after the game. “We will build on this result and look forward to the upcoming matches.”
What’s next for both sides?
With the draw, Hyderabad FC earned their first point of the season. They will face Jamshedpur FC on October 21 in what will be a crucial fixture as they aim to gather momentum in the league. Chennaiyin FC, still searching for a victory, will take on NorthEast United FC on October 17.
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