Braveheart Hyderabad suffers close loss in Bengaluru

Hyderabad FC continued to impress in the Indian Super League with a young squad this weekend.

They put in a spirited display to push an expensively assembled Bengaluru side, but fell to an unlucky 1-2 defeat at the Kanteerava this Saturday.

Javi Hernandez (71’) and Sivasakthi (87’) won the game for Bengaluru. The duo canceled out an equalizer from Ramhlunchhunga (80’), who scored his first ever ISL goal

Hyderabad’s goal vs Bengaluru FC first in five games since the Super Cup, and in the ISL after six games.

Abdul Rabeeh hit the post, and Muhammed Rafi came close, while Joseph Sunny, Makan Chothe and Lalchhanhima Sailo all tested Gurpreet Singh on goal but it was not their night in Bengaluru.

Laxmikant Kattimani was also solid at the back and could not do much with the goals while Abijith PA, who made his first ISL start and Jeremy Zohminghlua also stuck to their job for most of the night.

Ramhlunchhunga struck his fourth goal of the season and his first in the ISL, after smashing home from close range in a period where Hyderabad dominated the chances.

But a late wonder strike from Sivasakthi for Bengaluru left Hyderabad empty-handed on the night.

Kerala-born midfielder Rashid Madambillath also made his ISL debut on the night.

He became the 28th Indian star introduced to top-flight football by Hyderabad FC in less than five seasons.

The youngsters put on a solid show away from home and will look to put in a similar display when they welcome Punjab FC to the Maidaan on Tuesday, February 27.