Hyderabad FC earned their first point of the Indian Super League (ISL) season with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Chennaiyin FC on Tuesday.
The match, held at the Hyderabad home ground, saw Hyderabad reduced to ten men when Parag Shrivas received a second yellow card in the 71st minute after fouling Chennaiyin forward Connor Shields. Despite the disadvantage, Hyderabad displayed commendable resilience, successfully thwarting Chennaiyin’s attempts to find the net.
Hyderabad FC started the match with an attacking intent, driven by the dynamic duo of Goddard and Allan Paulista. The team sought to stretch Chennaiyin’s defense, creating spaces for their forwards to exploit. In the ninth minute, Hyderabad nearly broke the deadlock when Goddard squared a pass to Paulista, who unfortunately squandered a prime opportunity from just a few yards out.
Chennaiyin FC responded through striker Daniel Chima Chukwu, who showcased his agility and skill. In the 35th minute, Chukwu maneuvered past Hyderabad defenders Alex Saji and Isaac Vanmalsawma, testing goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh with a shot from a tight angle, but the effort posed no real threat.
With Hyderabad down to ten players, Chennaiyin aimed to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Defender Ryan Edwards had a golden opportunity in the 73rd minute following a corner kick, finding himself unmarked at the far post. However, his header failed to hit the target.
Hyderabad’s head coach, Thangboi Singto, prioritized defense after Shrivas’ exit, instructing his team to maintain discipline and structure. The home side successfully kept Chennaiyin at bay for the remainder of the match, securing a crucial point in the standings.
Looking ahead, Hyderabad FC will face Jamshedpur FC on October 21, while Chennaiyin FC is set to clash with NorthEast United FC on October 17.
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