With uncertainty looming over their future, Hyderabad FC drew Kerala Blasters 1-1 in the 156th game of the ongoing Indian Super League at the Maidaan in Gachibowli on Wednesday, March 12.
The supporters who turned up at the stadium on this late spring night wondered whether the club would still remain in their city after the season – with rumours of the owners shifting their base to New Delhi – but their players more than made up for this lack of transparency with a fighting spirit that was often lacking all season.
Hyderabad conceded a corner early on in the game, thanks largely to the inept nature of their defenders’ marking skills. Following a blocked corner, Mohammed Aimen passed the ball over his head from a seemingly dead situation to an unmarked Dusan Lagator in the 7th minute, who then headed it inside the empty Hyderabad net.
The Nawabs’ defensive frailties seemed worrisome throughout the first half – indeed they were repeatedly torn open by the visitors – with Korou Singh and Aimen being the wreckers-in-chief.
Skipper Adrian Luna held himself back and dictated the style that the Blasters were using, but he did not have to get too bothered, as Hyderabad seemed more than willing to afford their guests open chances at goal.
Had goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh – signed from FC Goa in the summer – not impressed with his decisive handling between the posts, the Yellow and Black would have conceded at least three in the first half, and plenty more in the second.
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Sourav K scored a wondergoal towards the end of the first half
However, the momentum seemed to shift towards the home team during the latter end of the first half, especially after improbable starter Sourav K scored what could be considered a contender for the goal of the season.
In the 45th minute, Abdul Rabeeh sent a cross into the Kerala box, which was deflected towards Sourav via Aibanbha Dohling. The 23-year-old from Kannur then brought out an exquisite bicycle kick, connecting perfectly with his cleats to send the ball wide of goalkeeper Nora Fernandes and into the Blasters’ net.
The Nawabs – in almost the first real action in the second half – were awarded a penalty after Lagator brought Abhijith PA down inside the box. Andrei Alba then took a shot – a rather measly one at that – which was saved quite comfortably by goalkeeper Fernandes diving to his right. Had this been converted into a goal, the story of the game would have been different, and Hyderabad picked up all three points on offer.
Noah Sadaoui’s introduction after half-time changed the game somewhat in favour of the visitors – indeed, he seemed his usual pacy self, especially against Hyderabad’s makeshift right-back Rabeeh, whose decision-making on the ball more than made up for his technical ineptitude on the odd occasion.
Hyderabad end the season in the 12th position of the table after they played twenty four matches throughout the season, the same where they did in the 2023-24 season, although they are not last in this campaign – that honour has been reserved for Mohammedan SC in the league.
The management – whose silence on the question regarding the shifting of the club’s base has baffled their loyal supporters – have a lot to answer; rumours of them not openly denying these have certainly not helped the morale of either the players or true-blue Hyderabadi fans. With crucial decisions looming in the offseason, Hyderabad FC must address these concerns to restore confidence among their fanbase.
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