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Football

Hyderabad FC fail to take chances, lose 1-0 to Kerala Blasters

League leaders Hyderabad FC failed to extend their lead at the top of the league table, as they fell to a tough, 1-0 defeat in closely fought encounter at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Gachibowli on Saturday.

Dimitrios Diamantakos (18’) scored early in the game which proved to be the only goal on the night as the Blasters registered their third consecutive victory in the Indian Super League.

Manolo Marquez’s side made a strong start to the night, dominating possession and hardly giving the visitors a chance. But a spill from Anuj Kumar at the back left the goal open and Diamantakos made no mistake to give the Blasters a lead.

Ivan Vukamanovic’s side dropped back to defend well and denied Hyderabad too many chances before the break. Halicharan Narzary and Bartholomew Ogbeche had half chances but it was after the restart that Hyderabad managed to get a grip of the game.

Borja Herrera first, then Javi Siverio and Aaren D’Silva came on to add some impetus to the attack as the Blasters were starting to feel the pressure in the second half.

Joao Victor, Joel Chianese, Borja, Javi, Aaren, and Mohammad Yasir all had chances to test Prabsukhan Gill on the Kerala goal but found it difficult to convert as Hyderabad failed to score in a game for the first time this season.

The visitors frustrated HFC with ten minutes to go, as the game heated up with the Blasters seeing three yellows at the death. But Vukamanovic’s game plan worked to the tee as his side registered all three points on a testing night in Gachibowli.

Hyderabad remain top of the league table with 16 points from seven games after the defeat. Kerala Blasters move up to third, with 12 points from their seven games.

HFC are back in action when they take on ATK Mohun Bagan at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday, Nov 26.

Kajal S

Kajal S

kajal

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