Hyderabad FC recorded their fifth consecutive win this season as they edged Jamshedpur FC 1-0 on Wednesday to consolidate their first place in the Indian Super League (ISL) in Jamshedpur. Mohammed Yasir scored again for the defending champions in the second half to end their scoreless run against the Red Miners. The hosts made four changes to the squad that lost to FC Goa in the last game. Head coach Aidy Boothroyd replaced the injured Eli Sabia with Pratik Chaudhari in defense. In midfield, Wellington Priori fell to the bench and Laldinpuia Pachuau took his place. Jay Thomas and Harry Sawyer started as Farukh Choudhary and Ritwik Das started from the bench.
The visitors made only one substitution and Bartholomew Ogbeche started when Borja Herrera returned to the bench.
Despite being goalless, the first half was passable for Jamshedpur. None of the Hyderabad FC players have tested Rehenesh TP.
On the other hand, Laxmikant Kattimani barely kept a header from Daniel Chukwu out of goal before being stretchered onto the field after colliding with Harry Sawyer.
Before the visitors were forced to make substitutions, Jamshedpur had to replace Laldinpuia Pachuau after 25 minutes. Farukh Choudhary jumped on to replace the injured midfielder.
Towards the end of the first half, Sawyer entered the penalty area and hit the goal from a sharp angle. The striker chose to shoot rather than pass and saw his bet fly high.
The complexion of the match changed early in the second half as Hyderabad FC drew first blood. Halicharan Narzary’s low cross aimed at Ogbeche was intercepted by Peter Hartley. However, the ball eventually ended up in front of an unmarked Yasir, who squeezed the ball in at the nearest post in the 48th minute.
Approaching the final quarter of the game, the hosts finally tested substitute goalkeeper Anuj Kumar. Boris Singh found Sawyer with a low cross in the penalty area. Sawyer stood with his back to the target as he rolled it back to Hartley, whose shot was low and hard, but unable to beat Anuj.
Seven minutes before regular time, Odei Onaindia headed the ball back towards Anuj. Under pressure from Ishan Pandita, Anuj fiddled and finally grabbed the ball outside the penalty area. The shot stop only saw a yellow card for the foul and Jamshedpur FC got nothing from the resulting free kick.
promoted
The win cost Hyderabad FC seven points ahead of the top with 13 points. Their next challenge comes home on November 19 when they host Kerala Blasters.
Jamshedpur FC remains in ninth place after the third defeat of the season. They will play against Chennaiyin FC in the Marina Arena on November 19.
Topics mentioned in this article