Hyderabad FC assistant coach Shameel Chembakath was delighted with the result as they defeated Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday.

In a clash between two of the lowest-placed teams in the standings, Hyderabad FC capitalised on their chances to secure victory. The hosts opened the scoring through Allan Paulista, before Ramhlunchhunga doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. Mohammedan SC pulled one back through Makan Chothe in the second half and pushed for an equaliser, but Hyderabad FC held firm and sealed the win with a late goal from Joseph Sunny in injury time.

With this result, Hyderabad FC completed the double over Mohammedan SC and secured their fourth win of the season. They now have 16 points from 19 matches, though their position in the standings remains unchanged. Chembakath admitted his side wasn’t at their best but was pleased with their clinical finishing.

“It was a much-needed win. We just planned the way we wanted to win the second home match here in Hyderabad. Good first half, but we couldn't play how we wanted to play. We couldn't keep the ball well. Lots of silly errors, mispasses. But of course, when you score a goal, when you get the chance, you are converting it; it is one of the positive things which we need to take the momentum (from). In the second half, I gave the message very clearly that we needed to balance and focus more on the counter attacks and defend more from their long balls. We needed to be calm and control the tempo of the game. Moreover, credit goes to the boys for how they played,” he said in the post-match press conference.

Mohammedan SC struggled to trouble Hyderabad FC in the first half but grew into the game after the break, pulling a goal back from a corner. Substitute Makan Chothe flicked in a delivery from Gomez to reduce the deficit. They continued to push for an equaliser, but Hyderabad FC goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh made a couple of crucial saves to preserve his team’s lead.

Chembakath was pleased not only with his side’s defensive resilience but also with their attacking display.

“I'm happy because you cannot just go win with one goal conceded and it was from a set piece. I think it is one of the things we need to work on more, is the (defending from) set-pieces maybe. It’s just a goal which we conceded at the near post. But how we stopped them, the attacking part also we were more intense, and I think we did pretty well in the defence,” he explained.

Hyderabad FC have lost just twice in their last seven games while securing two wins in the process. This victory marked their second consecutive home win, extending their unbeaten run to four matches at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium.

Chembakath credited the collective effort of his coaching staff and players for the team's recent progress.

“Players are giving more in terms of their hard work and determination, that is part of the team. We wanted everyone of us in unity, on and off the pitch. And that is working well. And of course, when you are working hard as a team and you are there, you will get the result for sure,” he said.