Hyderabad FC 1-1 Bengaluru FC: 3 Reasons why the defending champions only managed a draw | ISL 2019-20
Bengaluru FC spurned a flurry of chances as they stumbled their way to a 1-1 stalemate with Hyderabad FC in an ISL fixture at the Gachibowli Athletic Stadium.
The visitors began the game promisingly and surged into the lead swiftly when they capitalised on some slack defending by the hosts. Sunil Chhetri made the most of the opening as he strode into the penalty box and slotted a right-footed shot past the keeper.
The away side kept pushing and probing for the second goal for the rest of the game but it never arrived, even they were accorded a shot in the arm when Sahil Panwar was given his marching orders for a rash challenge on Udanta Singh in the 56th minute.
Ultimately, the hosts hit back in second-half stoppage time when Robin Singh pounced on a loose ball in the box to restore parity and delight the home crowd in attendance.
Here is a look at the three reasons that led to Bengaluru FC drawing 1-1 with Hyderabad FC.
3. Ashique Kuruniyan and Udanta Singh run riot on the flanks
Carles Cuadrat decided to field the effervescent attacking quartet of Ashique Kuruniyan, Chhetri, Raphael Augusto and Udanta for the trip to Hyderabad and the Spaniard was nearly vindicated in his selection as the pair of Indian wingers wreaked havoc on the flanks and caused the hosts’ rearguard all sorts of problems.
While Ashique started the game on the left-wing, Udanta manned the other flank, meaning that they offered their midfielders passing avenues on numerous occasions.
Quite often, the wingers drew the Hyderabad defenders in by coming in short and then spinning in behind. In the process, the home side were unable to track down the duo, especially considering the latter’s searing pace.
More crucially, Ashique and Udanta also undertook their fair share of defensive work as they switched adeptly with Nishu Kumar and Harmanjot Khabra respectively, whenever the full-backs forayed forward. Also, the pair was willing to press the hosts’ defenders high up the pitch, thereby forcing several mistakes.
Additionally, they set up their captain and Augusto several times with clever passes from the wings, although that eventually failed to directly contribute to a goal.
At the start of the season, Cuadrat sprung a major surprise when he preferred Ashique in an unusual full-back role. However, more recently, the Indian has been used in a more advanced position. And, if he keeps churning out such displays, he might even nail down a permanent starting spot further ahead on the pitch.