Durand Cup Preview & Prediction: Hyderabad FC Vs Rajasthan United FC
Hyderabad FC are set to face I-League side Rajasthan United in a crucial Durand Cup Quarterfinal clash at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday, following a commanding performance that saw them finish atop Group C in the Durand Cup.
|| 𝐌 𝐀 𝐓 𝐂 𝐇 𝐃 𝐀 𝐘 ||@HydFCOfficial 🆚 @RajasthanUnited
Live on : @Sports18 & @justvoot #HFCRUFC ⚔️#KBK 🏟️#DurandCup 🏆#IndianOilDurandCup 🏆#DurandCup2022 🏆#131stIndianOilDurandCup 🏆#IndianFootballForwardTogether 🤝#IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/oKSILu45XJ
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) September 12, 2022
HFC won three games in the group stage and will attempt to reach the prestigious competition’s semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Manolo Marquez, the team’s head coach, believes his team is determined to go the distance. “We are currently in pre-season, preparing for the Indian Super League. However, we respect the competition and intend to go all the way. As a result, we will want to be at our best in this game against a tough side in Rajasthan United,” the Spaniard explained.
Rajasthan United, who beat out Kolkata giants ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in their group, have been the Durand Cup’s surprise package this year.
An enticing fixture is on the cards as @HydFCOfficial take on Rajasthan United FC in the @thedurandcup quarter-finals today! 🔥
Watch the game live on @justvoot and @Sports18! 📺#IndianOilDurandCup #DurandCup2022 #IndianFootball #HyderabadFC #HFCRUFC pic.twitter.com/RBNGhZdXof
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) September 12, 2022
The I-League team has only lost one game so far, scoring six goals, with their most amazing victory coming against the Mariners. Gyamar Nikum, who scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time, is currently the team’s leading scorer and could be the danger man for HFC in this tie.
RUFC have quality across the board and could be difficult to beat, according to HFC Head Coach Manolo Marquez.
“Rajasthan United defeated ATK Mohun Bagan in their stadium, which was no easy feat. They try to play good football with a good style. They have some really good players, and I believe this will be a difficult game for our team,” Manolo added.
🤩 Its Matchday!
In Kolkata, up against Rajasthan United. A place in the #DurandCup Semi-final up for grabs and we are ready to give it our best… 💪#HFCRUFC #IndianOilDurandCup #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/nuFpdwFLsw
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) September 12, 2022
Hyderabad, on the other hand, are fresh from a loss to Army Red Football Team in their final group stage game, but finished top of the table with nine points on board.
With four goals this season, in-form Bartholomew Ogbeche is currently the second highest goal-scorer in the Durand Cup, but he has been equally assisted by the likes of Borja Herrera, Joel Chianese, Joao Victor, and Halicharan Narzary, who have all scored in the group stage.
HFC is one of the competition’s top goal scorers and will be looking to perform well in the knockout stages. The winner of this game will face Bengaluru FC, who defeated Odisha in the second quarterfinal, later this week at Salt Lake Stadium.
