Bengaluru FC wins 1-0 over Hyderabad FC to secure a place in the final of Durand Cup 2022

Manolo Marquez’s Hyderabad FC suffered a 1-0 defeat to fellow-Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup on Thursday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

Odei Onaindia’s own goal proved to be the deciding factor as Bengaluru advanced to the final, where they will face Mumbai City FC.

In an effort to reach their first Durand Cup final, both coaches had competitive teams, but it was Hyderabad who started the match on the offensive.

In the ninth minute, Barthomelow Ogbeche was slipped in behind the defence, and his effort was strong but direct at Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal, who easily palmed it away.

The game became increasingly violent as the challenges piled up, the boots were raised high, and the referee was ready to ‘let play go on.’ A innocuous ball over the top for Akash Mishra became ugly in the 27th minute after being knocked into the advertising boards by the defending Prabir Das.

FULL-TIME at the VYBK!

The boys fought till the end but our #DurandCup2022 campaign comes to an end.#BFCHFC #IndianOilDurandCup #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/WQyQV9VTYQ

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) September 15, 2022

Bengaluru struggled to keep up with the game’s speed, but took the lead against the odds courtesy to an own goal. Prabir Das’ cross was too brilliant for their center-back duo, as the ball deflected off Odei, who was rendered powerless.

Bartholomew Ogbeche, Joel Chianese, Javi Siverio, Halicharan Narzary, Borja Herrera, and Lalchungnunga Chhangte all had opportunities in front of the net, but it was tough for Hyderabad to test Gurpreet Singh, who was well protected by two lines of defence in front of him.

Bengaluru, who grabbed the lead barely half an hour into the game, made care to disrupt any rhythm HFC was developing by repeatedly slowing the game down in an attempt to hold on to their slim advantage.

Full Time!@bengalurufc beats defending @IndSuperLeague champions @HydFCOfficial to reach the final of the @thedurandcup. An enthralling game of supreme attacking football comes to an end! ⚽#BFCHFC ⚔️#DurandCup 🏆#IndianOilDurandCup 🏆#DurandCup2022 🏆#IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/2gkSMyy4Xi

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) September 15, 2022

Manolo Marquez’s changes caused problems for the hosts, but with practically every BFC outfield player taking turns staying down for every tackle, the game lacked rhythm, especially in the second half.

Hyderabad FC put on the pressure in the last minutes, but Bengaluru FC sat back and absorbed the majority of it, at times playing with seven players in defence. Ogbeche did manage to score, but only after crushing Gurpreet as both went up for a high ball near the goalmouth. Gurpreet’s blunder in additional time nearly lost Bengaluru a goal but resulted in nothing more than a corner.

This was HFC’s first semi-final participation, as Manolo Marquez’s team continues to prepare for the Indian Super League, which begins next month.