What's turning out to be a horror debut for Bengal giants, East Bengal (EB), in the Indian Super League (ISL), they succumbed to their fourth loss of the season, as they were pipped 3-2 by Hyderabad FC, at the Tilak Maidan in Goa, on Tuesday. While EB continue to stay winless in the tournament so far, it was Hyderabad's second win, pushing them up to the fifth spot.
The opening half started to a slow note, and it was not before the 12th minute when the hosts made the opening attack. Four more attacks followed it before EB's Jacques Maghoma handed them the lead in the 25th minute, with a left-footed strike to the center of the goal form a similar position, following an assist from Matti Steinmann.
It was followed by four more attacks, including a chance for a penalty for Hyderabad, from Aridane Santana, in the 45th minute, only to be saved by EB's goalkeeper. Meanwhile, the first half ended in the visitors' favour, as they went in with the slender lead.
The beginning of the second half saw a quick substitution from the hosts, as Liston Colaco came in for Nikhil Poojari. 10 minutes into the second half, there were six attempts made, as it was in the 55th minute when Santana levelled it up for the hosts, with a header into the top left corner from the centre, while Mohammad Yasir played the assist through a free-kick.
It was followed by another quick goal in the very minute, as Santana's right-footed shot to the bottom left corner from the centre, following an assist from Colaco, handed them a quick 2-1 lead. It led to EB making a couple of quick substitutions.
It was then in the 67th minute when the next attack from Hyderabad saw Halicharan Narzary double the lead, through a close-range effort from his right-footed strike, from the centre, while Colaco came up with the assist again. Three more attacks followed, as it was in the 80th minute, when EB pulled one back, through Jacques Maghoma's header to the centre high of the goal, from the right flank and six yards into the box, while Anthony Pilkington assisted him.
Nonetheless, the goal was nothing more than a consolation, as four more attacks followed, while Hyderabad ensured to keep the lead. After the referee blew the final whistle, it was all smiles for Hyderabad, while frustrations were clearly visible on the fave of EB players.
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