1) 'Roca's rookies' can play In five matches so far, Hyderabad is yet to have its full set of overseas players in its starting XI. In the draw against ATK Mohun Bagan, it had just two fit foreigners, and three in the win over East Bengal. Hyderabad has maintained its unbeaten run thanks in large parts to the performances of their youngsters. Full-backs Akash Mishra (19) and Asish Rai (21), forward Liston Colaco (22), and midfielders Hitesh Sharma (22) and Mohammed Yasir (22) have formed the core of this side.
Manuel Marquez Roca has put his trust in the youngsters and has played a significant role in developing these youngsters. Speaking about their progress in the build-up to the match, Roca said, "I wouldn't say I am impressed [with their performances]. I said previously to the media that I am not impressed because I have seen them in the training session everyday. I am very, happy for them because they are showing big personalities in the game. not only the younger players, I don't want to speak about one player but Halicharan Narzary is improving every game."
Hyderabad had control of the game despite being a goal down before Roca brought on Liston in the second half to add more attacking verve to his side. Liston's best have come through substitute performances (vs Odisha and East Bengal), when the wiry dribbler has taken on some tired defenders
On Tuesday, Liston played a part in all three goals, when he won the free-kick for the first before he set up the second (Santana) and third (Narzary). Explaining the decision to bring him on at the start of the second half, Roca said, "I know that he is a very important player for us. But you know how injuries are. We have to be careful with the injuries because we have only three foreigners. Liston is very important but maybe he is at his best when the other team is tired. I think he is very powerful.
Mumbai City FC managed to take the lead in the 76th minute through a Manoj Mohammad own goal. However, Hyderabad FC salvaged a draw during injury time thanks to an own goal from Tiri, breaking their losing streak. This draw marked Hyderabad FC's first points of the season, providing a much-needed boost to the team's morale.
Singto expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance, despite the fact that they were playing against Mumbai City FC who were down to 10 men. Singto stressed the significance of hard work his team put in and how it paid off, securing a valuable point in this match.
"Well in football, for the fans and for the public, and football lovers, it's (would have been) said, (we should have got a victory) playing against ten men. You know why? But we've seen umpteen times that playing men against ten is not easy at all. And with a team like Mumbai City FC, former (League Shield) champions and with players all around with technical abilities, it was going to be tough. Well, today I think it would have been heartbreaking if we didn't garner a point at least because it would have been a fourth loss. But big, big cheers and credit to the players. They dug in, they stuck in, they kept on going and going. We were telling the boys that hard work pays off. And today that made the difference," he stated in the post-match press conference.
Hyderabad FC had suffered defeats in all of their first three matches, and notably, these losses were all closely contested, with Singto's side falling short by just a single goal in each game. Prior to their game against Mumbai City FC, their most recent goal was scored in the opening match against East Bengal FC. While addressing their difficulties in front of goal, Singto remained optimistic that his team will improve as the season unfolds.
The strongest comeback often comes when one has their back against the wall, and Hyderabad FC will harbour similar hopes when they take on Mumbai City FC in the latter’s home turf in their Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 fixture on Saturday.
Hyderabad FC have missed out on positive results by slim margins this season and three straight losses have put them on the back foot. This away game against the Islanders could spur them on, given their impressive head-to-head record against the home side, from which their head coach Thangboi Singto is definitely taking confidence. Mumbai City FC have beaten them only twice in eight face-offs, with four matches ending in a draw and a couple of them in Hyderabad FC’s favour.
For the Islanders, a good start in the ISL has coincided with undesirable results in the mid-week Champions League matches. They have not dropped points so far in the season and will look to pick up all 3 points and go top of the table, where they spent most of last season.