Match 74 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 saw Hyderabad FC score two late goals against Bengaluru FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco on Thursday to rescue a point following a 2-2 draw. Goals from Sunil Chhetri in the first half and Leon Augustin in the second had put Bengaluru in a position of strength. However, two late goals by Aridane Santana and substitute Fran Sandaza meant that the teams had to share the points.

  • Sunil Chhetri opened the scoring for Bengaluru in the 9th minute.
  • Leon Augustin doubled the lead for Bengaluru but two quick goals by Aridane Santana and substitute Fran Sandaza ensured both sides shared the spoils.

The Blues took the lead in the 9th minute and the goal unsurprisingly came from a set-piece. Cleiton Silva put in a brilliant freekick into the box from the left and Chhetri did the rest by getting ahead of his marker to head the ball into the back of the net.

Bengaluru grew in confidence after taking the lead and weren’t afraid to try their luck from distance through the likes of Cleiton and Suresh Wangjam. Hyderabad enjoyed more of the ball, but it was Bengaluru that seemed like the bigger threat going forward.

However, Manuel Marquez’s men had a gilt-edged chance to score an equaliser just before halftime when a quick counter-attack by Hyderabad led to Akash Mishra finding Halicharan Narzary in the box with a cross from the left. Narzary though failed to direct his effort on target as Bengaluru breathed a sigh of relief and took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Hyderabad began the second half brightly and registered their first shot of the match on target in the 54th minute when a Narzary cross from the left was headed on goal by Santana and forced the goalkeeper into a save.

They had another chance a minute later after a freekick into the box was almost scrambled over the line by Santana. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu though came off his line to thwart the Spaniard’s effort as Bengaluru somehow cleared the ball.

The Blues went up the other end of the pitch moments later and nearly doubled their lead. The ball came to Cleiton in a good position in the box and he got his shot away but Chinglensana Singh managed to put in a block.

Bengaluru did go on to double their lead after the hour mark following a mix-up at the back between Hyderabad’s defenders, which put Augustin in on goal and the young Indian forward produced a clinical finish with the outside of his boot.

Hyderabad seemed to be building up a head of steam but Bengaluru’s second of the night robbed them of some momentum. That said, they continued to push hard to find a way back into the game and got a lifeline in the 86th minute after a dangerous cross from the right took a deflection and made its way into a dangerous area for Santana to apply the finishing touch from close range.

The closing stages of the contest saw Hyderabad apply relentless pressure and the Blues’ defence eventually buckled seconds into stoppage time. A miscued shot made its way into the box and found substitute Sandaza, who was in the right place at the right time to toe-poke the ball into the net and make it honours even on the night.

Hero of the Match – Aridane Santana

Aridane Santana led from the front for Hyderabad again in what was a solid display by the Spaniard. He scored his side’s first goal of the night and fulfilled his defensive duties as well by making a clearance and two successful interceptions.

Other Match Awards

Club Award – Hyderabad FC and Bengaluru FC

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Cleiton Silva (Bengaluru FC)

Watch the Match Highlights here: