Panaji: Hyderabad FC's head coach Thangboi Singto and forward Cy Goddard spoke on their important match against the sheers - Punjab FC, set to take place in Delhi on Wednesday. This matchup promises to be intriguing, as Punjab FC has won both of their opening games and currently sits in third place on the points table. Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Bengaluru FC in their last match, where late goals sealed their fate.
Singto spoke about the ongoing development of the team, saying, “Slowly and steadily, we are forming the core group with our foreign players coming in. In our last game, we lacked preparation in many areas, but not in effort and commitment. We hope to be better equipped for this upcoming match.”
When discussing Punjab FC, Singto acknowledged their strong start this season. "They have six points and have really started well. It will be a tough and challenging match for us. They have changed their coach, but the core of their team is still strong. Hopefully, we will perform well."
Hyderabad FC has a mix of young talent and experienced players. Singto highlighted the addition of seasoned players in key positions to support the younger squad members. He mentioned Lenny, who at 37 remains one of the fittest players, and Cy Goddard, who has previously won the Indian Super League (ISL). Goddard was the only foreign player in the last match against Bengaluru FC but hinted at possible new additions for the game against Punjab FC.
“We hope to have four foreigners available for our first home game against Chennaiyin FC,” Singto added. “With the upcoming international break, we will have time to bring in more players.”
Goddard expressed his excitement about being part of Hyderabad FC. "I think we have a good group of players. I feel we can cause an upset in the next match. I hope to use my experience from playing in the ISL and other leagues to help the team achieve something good."
Hyderabad FC has a reputation for scoring, having never gone three consecutive ISL matches without finding the net. Although they did not score in their last two matches, the team is motivated to turn things around against Punjab FC, who have conceded 10 goals in their last six games.
In their head-to-head encounters, Punjab FC remains unbeaten against Hyderabad FC in the ISL, with one win and one draw across two matches. This record adds an extra layer of challenge for Hyderabad as they seek their first victory against Punjab.
Key Players to Watch:
- Nihal Sudheesh (Punjab FC): He has made a combined total of 12 long progressive carries (10+ meters) in his two games, which is three more than the nine carries he achieved in his previous 13 ISL appearances.
- Mohammed Rafi (Hyderabad FC): He has averaged 6.8 clearances per game this season, the best in the league for players who have played at least four matches.
- Tekcham Abhishek Singh (Punjab FC): With an impressive tackle success rate of 88% since the start of the 2023-24 season, he ranks second among Indian players who have attempted over 20 tackles.
- Abdul Rabeeh (Hyderabad FC): He has recorded 46 touches inside the opposition’s box, the most by any Hyderabad FC player this calendar year.
