
HFC kick-off Durand Cup campaign with 1-1 draw against Delhi FC
Hyderabad FC kicked off their Durand Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Delhi FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.
FULL-TIME in #DFCHFC!
We had our moments and pushed for a winner right till the end but our @thedurandcup campaign begins with a point!
Ramhlunchhunga the ⭐️ for Hyderabad 💪#DurandCup2023 #TheNawabs #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/0JtdYAwH0a
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) August 6, 2023
Himanshu Jangra opened the scoring for Delhi in the sixth minute but Ramhlunchhunga stepped up and scored directly from the corner (57’) in the second half as the game ended with a point each.
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘!
Our 2023 Durand Cup journey begins today!
🏟 Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
🕠 2:30 PM IST
📺 Live on Sony Sports 2, Sony Liv#HyderabadFC #WeAreHFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/Nyy20clyHG— Deccan Legion (@DeccanLegion) August 6, 2023
The torrential downpour starting an hour before kick-off running up until the half-time whistle was the headline maker of the game, as the sloppy outfield meant that there was little chance of free-flowing football on show for the thousand or so supporters that flocked Sarusajai Stadium on a Sunday afternoon.
𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗵𝗶 𝗙𝗖 𝘃𝘀 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗙𝗖
In their opening fixture, The Nawabs face Delhi FC in a thrilling showdown at the #DurandCup2023.
Let's roar with all our might and show unwavering support! 🏆
Get in, @HydFCOfficial 💛🖤#WeAreHFC #HyderabadFC… pic.twitter.com/YsByu2f1B3
— Stake News (@stakenewsindia) August 6, 2023
However, both teams managed to test either keeper, before and after the opener, as Aaren D’Silva was at the end of a couple of decent chances, he should have put away.
Hyderabad did go into the break a goal down, but came out to a better outfield with sunny conditions, and managed to push Delhi back until Chhunga scored with a curler, direct from the left corner.
🙌 Not long left for kick-off now ⏳️⚽️💥#DFCHFC #DurandCup2023 #TheNawabs #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/Nj69YgV6kY
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) August 6, 2023
Gurmeet Singh pulled off some stunning saves, while Sahil Tavora and Mark Zothanpuia marshaled the midfield well all game.
Mohammad Yasir, Alex Saji, Nim Dorjee Tamang and Chinglensana Singh also played their role but it was Chhunga who grabbed the limelight, scoring an Olympic goal to mark his debut for the Yellow and Black.
57' GOOOAAAALLLLLLL 🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥
Chhungaaaaa… scores direct from a corner on debut for the Yellow and Black 💛🖤#DFCHFC #DurandCup2023 #TheNawabs #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC pic.twitter.com/Pg9M138FKa
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) August 6, 2023
The 1-1 result meant that HFC and Delhi FC start Group E with a point each on the board. Hyderabad are back in action when they take on Chennaiyin FC on Thursday, 10th August.
First minutes of the season, first points on board. A fair result in adverse weather conditions. Let's go!💪#HyderabadFC #WeAreHFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/qy8h8B8hzC
— Deccan Legion (@DeccanLegion) August 6, 2023
