Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto feels that the pressure will squarely rest on the opposition's shoulders as they square off against FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Friday.

Hyderabad FC, who have already been eliminated from this year's playoff contention, currently occupy the bottom position in the league table with eight points after playing 20 games. Despite their struggles, they have shown improved performances lately, garnering four points from their last five matches. Their lone victory of the season came against Chennaiyin FC with a scoreline of 1-0, where they also managed to keep a clean sheet.

Meanwhile, Manolo Marquez's FC Goa are in a tight battle for the league shield with the top four teams. The Gaurs, having secured a playoff spot, currently stand fourth with 36 points from 19 games, accumulating eight points from their last five matches.

The pre-match press conference began with head coach Singto sharing his thoughts on their upcoming challenge and the mentality that the players in yellow and black will adopt against their next opponents.

"I think we are not under pressure, I think FC Goa are the ones who are under pressure, in the sense they have to win (the game). We started the last match well (against Mumbai City FC), and with better finishing, the outcome could have been different. So, our approach against FC Goa will be similar. We'll play our game as usual, aiming not to concede. But the pressure is more on FC Goa than on us." Singto stated during the press conference. 

The 49-year-old emphasized the significance of their remaining matches, highlighting them as the final proving ground for the young players before the build-up to the next season. He urged the players to seize the opportunity and make the most of it.

He explained, "It's very important; the reality is, we have two young boys who just turned 18, maybe five or six 20-year-olds, and four or five 21-year-olds—it's all a mix of a very young team. So when you get a chance to play, try not to make the same mistakes again and again because next season, who might be in the first team, or if you'll start, we don't know. When you get a chance, you have to play the percentage game. If you're a defender, your job is to defend and not concede; if you're a striker, you've got to score, or else somebody might take over. That's the reality of football."

"Therefore, it's important to talk to them, train them, and improve their performance so that next season when they go, they'll be better players, and only then can they survive better. So going forward, these two games will be decisive for many of us. Like I said before, these two games are going to help us build better going forward," he added further.

Singto shared his thoughts on Hyderabad FC's challenging season so far, emphasizing that despite the difficulties, these experiences will only strengthen them for the upcoming season, especially with the addition of new players.

"I think for many of us involved with the club, this has been the most challenging season. You work equally hard with other staff, but when you can't get results, it's not easy the next day going for training or planning. It's just not easy. But what set us apart from other teams is that, despite all these differences and difficulties, what kept us bound together was our core beliefs—that this is our group, we are together, and we will fight. This approach, coupled with the addition of good players, will make Hyderabad FC much better next season," he said. 

Want to make my debut and prove myself to everyone: Goalkeeper Aman Sahni

Hyderabad FC's Aman Sahni accompanied head coach Singto during the pre-match press conference ahead of their match against FC Goa. The young goalkeeper has been promoted to the senior side but has yet to make his debut in India's top-flight league.

The 19-year-old was asked to share the level of confidence his side will bring for the bout against the Gaurs.

"We are confident in ourselves, as we have created lots of chances in the past few games. If we had converted them into goals, the score would've been different, so yes, we have nothing to lose but six points to win," he said.

Sahni gave his take on his takeaways from their season so far and for the remaining matches.

He shared, "I still have to make my debut. I am working on that. I have learnt a lot from all my coaches and players in every training session."

"The season is not over yet, so I just want to make my debut and prove myself to everyone here," Sahni stated as the press conference concluded.