Hyderabad FC wants to dampen FC Goa’s indomitable start to the 2022/23 ISL season at Gachibowli by maintaining their unbeaten streak in the campaign.
The Nizams edged out Bengaluru FC through an 83rd-minute header from Bartholomew Ogbeche in the 1-0 win whereas FC Goa picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC.
HFC vs FCG Match Details
Date: Saturday, 29 October 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Gachibowli
HFC vs FCG Match Preview
The 1-0 win over Bengaluru FC in their first game of the season at Gachibowli meant Hyderabad FC are now one of the three remaining sides yet to lose a game in the league after three matches. One of them is FC Goa whom they are set to face this weekend. It was Bartholomew Ogbeche again doing wonders for the Nizams capitalizing from a corner that was half-cleared by opposition keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to nod in the only goal in the last periods of the game. His second strike of the season as he eyes another golden boot in an ISL campaign and probably another title should Hyderabad FC continue to ride on their winning chariot. Coach Manolo Marquez said the team is capable of doing anything if the players are focused and optimistic about tasting success again. The Yellow and Blacks are dominating the league in terms of expected goal, only trailing Mumbai City FC for ball possession and has kept the most number of clean sheets with two in three games till now. This suggests Marquez’s men are getting better and at times looking more cohesive than the ISL trophy-winning squad last season. Hyderabad FC’s real challenge is now to beat FC Goa who have started the season on a 100% record looking very much to overturn their distasteful campaign last time out. The Gaurs have also been a tough opponent to handle as the 3-2 triumph in the last meeting earlier this year is the only victory Hyderabad FC managed in five meetings so far. Back then Hyderabad FC were a team in progression but now with a more vibrant side from their ISL title success, the Nizams wants to put up a statement on Saturday with a victory to remind the rest of their supremacy. Facing a refreshed and rejuvenated FC Goa team yet to lose this season will be tricky although this sort of game is ideal for the champions to test themselves to the fullest.
Carlos Pena has started his managerial career with a banger guiding FC Goa, with whom he used to play for, to back-to-back wins in the 2022/23 ISL season. After a dramatic win in Kolkata against East Bengal, Goa made another trip in the league to Chennai to beat Chennaiyin FC 2-0 with no one else able to win the first two games of this season. The fascinating thing about FC Goa’s excellent start to the 2022/23 campaign is that all of these wins came away from home which could have been difficult without having a home advantage early in the season. They don’t come back home before the opening month and will wish to carry their winning run against the holders in the third consecutive away game to start their ISL season. Talking about the game, FC Goa could have produced more goals if they were more clinical in front of goal albeit scoring chances falling to Chennaiyin FC as well. Moroccan striker Noah Sadaoui, starting in place of Alvaro Vazquez, assisted Redeem Tlang’s opener with a fantastic cross before getting into the scoresheet himself late in the game settling the tie. FC Goa seemed to have found the right balance in defense and attack which they desperately wanted in the ninth-place finish campaign last term. However, Hyderabad FC will be difficult themselves and FC Goa will not find it easy sailing in this fixture even though their form has been emphatic so far. Carlos Pena described the holders as a solid and compact team with his counterpart Manolo Marquez, in his third year of the club, building an outstanding relationship with the players of Hyderabad FC. FC Goa are not inexperienced but is new in understanding what Pena demands out of them and halting the champions will speed up the process of jelling with his tactics. This will be a battle between two in-form sides in the competition taking attack as their approach to the game.
Recent Form
HFC: WWD
FCG: WW
HFC vs FCG Team News
Hyderabad FC were boosted by the return of left-back Akash Mishra from his injury in the victory against Bengaluru FC and he will continue over Manoj Mohammed for this game as Manolo Marquez is unlikely to make changes to his winning combination so far. Bartholomew Ogbeche scored the winner and his 20th goal for the Nizams in ISL. He is looking to add to his tally of five goals against FC Goa in 10 matches. Joel Chianese and Gurmeet Singh remain the only players out for this clash.
Dheeraj Singh was taken off past the hour mark in the win over Chennaiyin because of a head injury and coach Carlos Pena is still waiting for a definitive update on his availability for the next game. The 22-year-old was in the hospital in Chennai. At the beginning of the week, he still had a few symptoms and had to undergo medical tests. A decision will be made today or tomorrow if he could be made to start the game. Arshdeep Singh, who replaced Dheeraj in the game, could replace him between the sticks if his condition does not improve. There are no other injury problems in the squad to report.
HFC vs FCG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Kattimani (8.5)
DEF: Seriton (8), Anwar (8.5), Sana (8.5), Mishra (9)
MID: Yasir (8.5), Bedia (9), Victor (9), Brandon (8.5)
FW: Siverio (9), Ogbeche (9)
Vice-captain: Edu Bedia
Captain: Bartholomew Ogbeche
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