Hyderabad FC to face Mohun Bagan next at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar

After a cruel loss in Kaloor in the last game week, Hyderabad FC are back in action when they take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, December 2.

The home game originally scheduled to be played at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad, was shifted to Odisha due to the 2023 Assembly Elections in the State of Telangana.

Going into this game, the Nawabs, who remain the home side on the night, have just three points from their seven games, after the loss to Blasters in the last round. The Mariners, on the other hand, have a 100% record, winning each of their four league games so far this season.

Juan Ferrando’s men are back in ISL action after just over a month but have played two group-stage games in the AFC Cup around the international break. But having lost both those games, Mohun Bagan will want to set things right and get a positive result in this game.

The likes of Hugo Boumous, Manvir Singh, Jason Cummings, Armando Sadiku, Sahal Abdul Samad, Brandon Hamill and Hector Yuste have all been in fine form for the Mariners this season. Anirudh Thapa, Kiyan Nassiri, Liston Colaco, Subhasish Bose and Vishal Kaith have also been on top of their game and can hurt Hyderabad in this tie, says Conor Nestor, HFC’s First Team Coach.

“Mohun Bagan when their attacking style clicks are a team that can hurt you from all over the field so our concentration levels need to be high,” he said, speaking ahead of this game.

The Nawabs, who fell to a narrow defeat in Kerala, are yet to pick up a win in this season in the league. The likes of Chinglensana Konsham, Nikhil Poojary and Gurmeet Singh have all been solid at the back while Joao Victor, Petteri Pennanen and Sahil Tavora have also done their job pretty well in the midfield.

But the likes of Mohammad Yasir and Joe Knowles would like to add some goals to their name, which could help Hyderabad put the Mariners under pressure.

Coach Conor Nestor asked his side to be more effective in the final third and wants his team to put in a stronger performance in this game.

“Well, the Kerala game was another game where we had 2 big chances and the opponent only had 1, yet we come away with nothing,” he said.

“It’s clear we have to be more ruthless in both boxes,” he added.

The two teams met five times last season, with the league stage games ending 1-0 in the respective hosts’ favour. The two legs of the semi-final and the AFC Cup Qualifier Play-Off were both goalless and were decided on penalties, which makes this game a must-watch even for the neutral.