Hyderabad FC put up a surprisingly lacklustreperformance to be held goalless by Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League 2020-21, at the Tilak Maidan in Goa, on Sunday. The win compelled Hyderabad to stay on fourth, while Jamshedpur has risen to the eighth spot.
The opening half saw eight attacks, including a couple of initial saves by Jamshedpur goalkeeper, Rehenesh TP. The host came close to earning the lead in the 41st minute when Stephen Eze's header hit the right post, but the sides failed to break the deadlock at half-time.
The second half was surprisingly an ultra-composed one from either side. It was in the 77th minute when the half's first attack was attempted, with a total of just three attempts being made, including a save from Hyderabad goalkeeper, Laxmikant Kattimani, as both the sides shared the honours.
However, following the game, Hyderabad manager, Manuel Marquez expressed his delight with his boys' performance, as he counted, "It is good to have clear chances. I am satisfied with how we played in the first half. Second half more equal. It (Jamshedpur's tactics) is difficult and you have to adapt. The draw could be a fair result, but we were close than them to a win."
"They have a very good team, but I am satisfied with my team. We finished the game in a better way compared to how we did it in other games. It is one more point and a game fewer. Two wins and three draws in January, same in our first five games. It is very difficult to win games now (for every team). All the teams can qualify for the top four," he summed.
As for Jamshedpur boss, Owen Coyle accepted that his side deserved a win following the spirited performance. "I don't really recall any great chances that they had in the second half. We were the team who had the best chances. Hyderabad are a very good side. But, if anybody was winning that game, it was us. We will pick ourselves up and go again. Jamshedpur have never been in the playoffs and we are trying to do that," he estimated.
"Farukh was the best player on the field tonight; he was outstanding. He already has ten caps for the national team; he is a wonderful player. I am excited for Farukh and (Seiminlen) Doungel, both of them add a new dimension. He hasn't trained; he came straight into the game. We are pleased with how the two boys performed," he concluded.
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