Hyderabad FC returned to winning ways in style in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 after a 4-1 victory against Chennaiyin FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Monday. Two early second half goals by Joel Chianese and Halicharan Narzary put Hyderabad in the driver’s seat before Anirudh Thapa halved the deficit for Chennaiyin. However, any chance of a Chennaiyin comeback were put to rest shortly after courtesy a Joao Victor stunner and Narzary’s second goal of the night.

• Joel Chianese and Halicharan Narzary scored early in the second half for Hyderabad.
• Anirudh Thapa momentarily reduced the deficit for Chennaiyin.
• Joao Victor then added Hyderabad’s third before Narzary netted his side’s fourth of the night.

Chennaiyin’s goalkeeper Vishal Kaith was called into action inside the opening 30 seconds. Hyderabad began positively after Aridane Santana played Chianese in on goal with a well-cushioned header only for the Australian to be denied by Kaith’s strong right hand.

It was a frantic match and Hyderabad’s next opportunity to take the lead came off a freekick in the 11th minute when Odei Onaindia’s header from the set-piece failed to test the goalkeeper from close range. Hyderabad were clearly on top for most of the game and they went on to force a double save from Kaith in the 23rd minute.

Mohammed Yasir, who was proving to be a menace for Chennaiyin’s defence, received the ball on the right and dashed forward before unleashing a powerful effort with his left-foot. Kaith managed to thwart Yasir’s shot but spilled it straight into the path of Chianese, whose follow-up attempt was also saved by the Chennaiyin goalkeeper.

The Marina Machans then came close themselves just after the half hour mark when Lallianzuala Chhangte surged into the box from the left and attempted a back heel that led to the ball coming onto his right foot. Chhangte managed to get a shot away but Laxmikant Kattimani got down well to make the save.

Hyderabad had another big chance of going ahead in the 44th minute after Kaith punched a cross from the right straight to the feet of Chianese, whose shot was once again saved by the Chennaiyin custodian. The danger though wasn’t averted yet as Hyderabad were unrelenting in their pressure and won the ball back seconds later for Asish Rai to unleash a thunderous left-footed shot that rattled the woodwork as the teams somehow went in for the halftime interval with the match goalless.

The first chance of the second period went Chennaiyin’s way when a freekick from the right broke kindly in the box for Memo Moura, who fired a first-time effort that was blocked by Victor. That miss by the Marina Machans in the 47th minute proved to be costly as Hyderabad scored twice in the next six minutes.

The first goal came following a mix up between Eli Sabia and an outrushing Kaith. Sabia attempted to clear the ball away as Kaith ran out of his penalty area but the Brazilian’s attempt at clearing the ball ended up hitting Chianese and deflecting towards an empty net with the goalkeeper out of position.

Hyderabad’s second goal in the 53rd minute came as a result of more sustained pressure. After Chennaiyin struggled to clear a corner, Kaith got down in time to save a Santana shot but the Indian custodian was powerless when it came to stopping Narzary’s shot on the rebound which rifled into the back of the net after striking the bottom of the crossbar.

Chennaiyin pulled one back in the 67th minute following a goalkeeping lapse by Hyderabad. Kattimani came off his line to clear a low cross from the right but only ended up directing it to Thapa, who made no mistake with a simple tap in to give his side a lifeline.

However, Hyderabad’s two-goal advantage was restored seven minutes later after another stunning finish. The goal-scorer Victor was involved in the build up when he slid substitute Fran Sandaza in on goal with a delightful pass. Sandaza’s shot though was saved by Kaith and went to Yasir, who passed it to Victor for the Spaniard to produce a spectacular finish across goal into the top right corner.

The Telangana-based side went on to add their fourth goal in the 79th minute following a quick counter-attack that culminated in Narzary scoring his second of the night. It was Sandaza’s pass near the halfway line that released Narzary on his way and the Indian winger executed a clam finish beyond the goalkeeper to seal an emphatic win for his team.

Hero of the Match – Halicharan Narzary

Halicharan Narzary bagged a brace against Chennaiyin and the Indian winger was worthy of being adjudged the Hero of the Match. His first goal was a stunning strike that gave the goalkeeper no chance and his second was a calm finish from inside the box that put the icing on the cake for Hyderabad.

Other Match Awards

Club Award – Hyderabad FC

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Fran Sandaza

Watch the Match Highlights here: