Chennaiyin FC breach Hyderabad FC's fortress with superior defensive showing | ISL 2023-24
Chennaiyin FC managed to hold a sharpshooting Hyderabad FC off and get their first win of the ISL season at the Maidaan in Gachibowli on Monday. The Nawabs, languishing at the bottom of the table, succumbed to their third consecutive loss.
This was also Hyderabad's first loss at home since Jamshedpur came visiting n February. Connor Shields gave Chennaiyin FC the early lead owing to a rather controversial decision that left the Hyderabad supporters in a tizzy.
Carrying forth from a challenge that was left either unnoticed by the referee (or whether he chose to turn a blind eye, we shall never know), Chennaiyin pushed and turned into an advantage, which was not given explicitly by the official.
Hyderabad, reeling from the turn of events, failed to track the Scottish striker, who was lurking and converted a rather wholesome chance.
Despite their best attempts to equalise and come back into the game, the Nawabs failed to land a positive blow to the visitors. Hyderabad manager Thangboi Singto missed a trick by bringing star striker Jonathan Moya on much later than he would have ideally wanted to.
The Costa Rican, along with fellow new signing Makan Chothe, seemed to display flashes of brilliance. But unfortunately, did not quite get the service he deserved.
Chennaiyin sent balls through the middle on the odd occassion and came dangerously close to increasing their lead in the 83rd minute. But Rahim Ali's chance was fluffed by Hyderabad central defender Chinglensana Singh while custodian Gurmeet Singh made a helpless showing by coming out of goal.
Hyderabad rue lack of incisiveness in the final third
Hyderabad appeared to be in control of the game throughout with their possession being significantly more than their opponents. They shot more than the Marina Machans did and ensured that they put in significantly more crosses than their opponents.
Aaren D'Silva seemed to be the weak link that segregated Hyderabad from a side playing extraordinary football to one relegated to the back benches owing to poor decision-making.
D'Silva seemed to be lacking in confidence and constantly lost the ball to the often apprehensive duo of Ryan Edwards and Lazar Cirkovic. The Goan lacked in hold-up play and failed to rise to the physical challenges put to him by the Chennaiyin defenders.
He seemed quite out of place in the centre of the Nawabs' attack and many were left astounded by his continuous presence on the pitch. Joe Knowles- one of the sole bright spots for the Yellow and Blacks along with right-back Nikhil Poojary- was taken off in the second half.
Chennaiyin FC's defenders did their job well and managed to stay put in their position without really altering their style of play. Owen Coyle will be pleased with this result given how tough Chennaiyin's season has been so far.
Hyderabad travel to Mumbai to take on Mumbai City FC on Saturday while Chennaiyin host Punjab FC on Sunday.