ISL 2022-23: Hyderabad FC earn 2-0 win over East Bengal

Updated: Oct 12, 2023, 03:21 pm

Hyderabad FC's Javier Siverio celebrates scoring against East Bengal on Friday.
Hyderabad FC's Javier Siverio celebrates scoring against East Bengal on Friday.
Shibu Preman / Focus Sports / ISL

Hyderabad FC moved within four points of Indian Super League (ISL) table-topper Mumbai City after a 2-0 win over East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Friday.

Javier Siverio scored the opening goal in the ninth minute and substitute Aaren D'Silva wrapped up the three points in the 93rd minute. The defending champions will have a chance to reduce the gap further as their next game will be against the unbeaten Islanders, in a fixture that could decide the ultimate winner of the League Shield.

Hyderabad got off to a flyer as Borja Herrera whipped a looping cross into the box from the left and it dipped straight onto the head of an unmarked Siverio. The striker's cushioning header saw the ball fly in at the far post as Kamaljit was rooted in his spot.

The East Bengal FC shot-stopper was alert to deny Siverio a second goal minutes later when Hitesh Sharma's shot from inside the box came straight to the Spaniard and his close-range shot was blocked by Kamaljit.

The home side, midway through the first half, advanced into the Hyderabad half after a series of good passes, only to mistime the decisive pass inside the box. Minutes later, Lalchungnunga's long throw from the right flank was headed onto the crossbar by Suhair VP.

Less than 10 minutes from the break, Bartholomew Ogbeche slid a pass to Siverio, who laid it off for an oncoming Rakip. The full-back entered the box and forced another save out of Kamaljit from a tight angle as Hyderabad went into the interval with a narrow advantage.

Four minutes into the second 45, Mohammad Yasir's sliced clearance landed kindly to Cleiton Silva in front of goal, but the Brazilian could not keep his effort on target. In the 66th minute, a well-worked Hyderabad corner was cleared away but only as far as Ogbeche, who attempted an overhead kick that went just wide.

Moments later, at the other end, Silva beat Odei Onaindia but failed to beat the outstretched foot of Gurmeet Singh with his goal-bound strike. A cheeky back-heel from Ogbeche, in the third minute of stoppage time, allowed D'Silva to have a run at goal from a tight angle. The substitute kept his composure and buried it past Kamaljit to seal the victory.