ISL 2020 -- Spirited Hyderabad FC hold Bengaluru FC to a goalless draw
- By Press Release
- November 28, 2020
Bengaluru FC played out their second successive draw in the Indian Super League, this time a goalless affair with Hyderabad FC at the Fatorda Stadium, in Goa, on Saturday. In a game where not much was given by either side, Bengaluru pressed hard for three points with a switch in intent in the second half. But Hyderabad managed to keep it tight at the back. The result meant Bengaluru stayed sixth on the table.
Blues' head coach Carles Cuadrat made no changes to the side that drew against FC Goa. His opposite number Manuel Marquez made two changes to the team that won against Odisha FC - Chinglensana Singh and Joel Chianese coming into the starting eleven in place of Hitesh Sharma and Mohammed Yasir.
The opening twenty minutes was a tight affair, with both teams fighting for possession in the midfield. Unlike the opening game, the Blues' defence employed a high line against the visitors, catching Hyderabad offside three times in the first half.
The first big chance of the game fell to Hyderabad in the 24th minute, when Aridane Santana won a freekick on the left. Lluis Sastre's in-swinging set-piece found Aridane in the box, whose low header was palmed away by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's outstretched hand, right on the line.
Cuadarat started the second half with one change, bringing on Dimas Delgado for Kristian Opseth in what seemed like an attempt to have more of a say in possession. On the hour mark, the Spaniard used two more substitutes when he introduced Deshorn Brown and Rahul Bheke for Udanta Singh and Fran Gonzalez.
Though the substitutions helped the Blues gain control of the game, chances were hard to come. Dimas’ introduction helped the Blues gain control in the middle of the park, with the Spaniard pulling the strings and dictating play.
With ten minutes left to play, Cleiton Silva found space down the left-wing. He faked his shot, cutting past Ashish Rai but saw his shot blocked by Odei Onaindia.
In the 86th minute, substitute Brown made space for himself to shoot from a tight angle but Subrata Paul did well to make the save. Despite the late onslaught, the game finished goalless at the Fatorda.
Bengaluru next take on Chennaiyin FC in an away fixture on December 4, at the GMC Stadium, in Bambolim.
JSW Media Release