Indian Super League champions Hyderabad FC stunned True 2-0 in their opening Group C match of the Durand Cup football tournament at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Monday.
Halicharan Nazari 28. first blood shed th Minute and Borja Gonzalez 53. scored the second goal in third Minutes to script Hyderabad’s victory.
It was True’s second consecutive defeat.
The control of the ball and the match was the bulk of the deal from the experienced Hyderabad side. Even though True made some good moves initially, it could not pose any real threat due to the persistence of the Hyderabad defenders – Captain Nikhil Pujari and Chinglensana Singh.
Hyderabad found success when Nazari bowled a loose ball and swung it from a distance of about 25 yards. After a change of ends, Hyderabad extended the lead with a stunner from Gonzalez. The Spaniard received the ball from the right and shot home a left-footed long ranger to blow the air off a spirited true.
The difference in class was obvious as Hyderabad, which gave some of its foreign recruits game time, made a lot of strikes. However, all efforts went in vain as the ball either hit the goalpost or was saved by the skilled Bishorjeet under the bar.
Later, 16-time champions Emami East Bengal started their campaign on a calm note, playing a goalless draw with the Indian Navy in Group B. Playing under former national coach Stephen Constantine, East Bengal failed to strike the desired pace and chased for most of the first half. Both sides were found wanted in the striking zone.
Starting team-building and season preparations much later than other Indian Super League sides, East Bengal struggled against a fit navy, with a well-organized defence.
Result: Hyderabad FC 2 (Halicharan Nazri 28, Borja Gonzalez 53) bt True 0; Emami East Bengal 0 drew 0 with the Indian Navy.