Bangalore:
Bartholomew Ogbeche scored his first goal in seven games as Hyderabad FC defeated Bangalore FC 3-0 in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 encounter at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday.
The striker broke the deadlock with a deft free-kick before forcing an own-goal from Sandesh Jhingan on the stroke of half-time. In the 90th minute, Joel Chianese came off the bench to seal the game.
The hosts used the same lineup that defeated East Bengal FC last week, while the visitors made four changes. At the back, Nim Dorjee took over for Chinglensana Singh, while Borja Herrera took over for Joao Victor.
Within the first ten minutes, there were two opportunities, one at each end. Roshan Naorem from the left wing executed a beautiful one-two with Javi Hernandez before his low cross was rejected by Nikhil Poojary. At the opposite end, Siverio raced down the left wing before being halted by a good challenge from Suresh Wangjam.
In the 26th minute, Halicharan Narzary, Herrera, and Ogbeche expertly collaborated to execute a well-worked free kick on the outside of the box, which saw Ogbeche blast a low effort past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to break his scoring drought. His previous goal before the seven-game slump came in the rematch earlier this season.
Hyderabad FC increased their advantage just before halftime. Narzary sent in a cross from the left, which Ogbeche headed onto the grass. The ball was headed off-target when Jhingan’s botched clearance cut it into his own net, giving the reigning champs a two-goal lead at halftime.
In the last minute of the game, Abdul Anjukandan’s low cross from the right was side-footed into the far post by Chianese, and the Blues suffered their sixth defeat of the season.
The setback maintains them in eighth place, nine points off of the last playoff slot. On December 30, the Blues will travel to Salt Lake Stadium to face East Bengal FC.
Hyderabad FC has reclaimed first place in the table, one point ahead of Mumbai City FC, who has a game in hand. On December 29, the defending champions will play NorthEast United FC.
