Hyderabad FC has emerged as one of the most consistent and competitive teams in the Indian Super League (ISL) over the past two seasons. Their consecutive second-place finishes in the league standings are a testament to their sustained excellence. What sets them apart is their commitment to playing an attacking style of football, exemplified by their impressive tally of 79 league goals during this period, a figure only surpassed by Mumbai City FC.
Since their establishment in 2019, Hyderabad FC has been on a steady upward trajectory. Their watershed moment came in the 2021-22 season when they reached the knockout stages of the ISL for the first time in their short history. In a remarkable turn of events, they defied the odds to clinch the ISL Cup, staging a thrilling comeback to overcome Kerala Blasters FC in the summit clash. This triumph marked a historic milestone for the club and showcased their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
Continuing their journey of progression, Hyderabad FC under the leadership of former head coach Manolo Marquez secured a playoff berth once again in the 2022-23 season. Their second-place finish in the league table reflected their consistency and competitiveness in the ISL.
Performances in ISL so far
Hyderabad FC’s journey in the Indian Super League (ISL) has been a remarkable transformation since their establishment in 2019. In their debut ISL season, they struggled and finished at the bottom of the standings, but their fortunes took a positive turn with the arrival of Manolo Marquez as head coach ahead of the 2020-21 season. Despite being in only their second season under Marquez’s leadership, they narrowly missed out on a playoff spot, falling short by just two points.
The 2021-22 season was a turning point for Hyderabad FC. Despite losing key players like Lluis Sastre, Odei Onaindia, Aridane Santana, and Liston Colaco from the previous season, they displayed resilience and determination. The team suffered only four defeats during the league stage and, for the first time in their history, made it to the ISL playoffs. Their remarkable journey continued as they overcame Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semi-final and clinched the ISL Cup in a thrilling penalty shootout against the Kerala Blasters. This historic victory marked the club’s first-ever silverware.
In the subsequent season, Hyderabad FC maintained their high level of performance, suffering just four league defeats and finishing in the second position in the ISL standings. They ended the season just four points behind the League Shield winners, Mumbai City FC. However, their playoff journey came to an end in the semi-final when they were knocked out by Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
Performance in Recent Seasons:
- 2019-20: Debut season, finished 10th.
- 2020-21: Missed the playoffs by one spot, finished 5th.
- 2021-22: Finished 2nd and won the ISL Cup.
- 2022-23: Finished 2nd again and reached the playoffs.
Their dramatic turnaround began when Manolo Marquez took charge ahead of the 2020-21 season, narrowly missing the playoffs in their second season. In the 2021-22 season, they had an impressive run, winning the ISL Cup.
Team Composition and Transfers: Hyderabad FC has seen some notable departures, including Akash Mishra, Javier Siverio, Joel Chianese, Halicharan Narzary, Rohit Danu, Odei Onaindia, and Borja Herrera, who played crucial roles in the team’s success in the past two seasons.
In terms of new acquisitions, they made minimal signings during the ISL summer transfer window, bringing in seven new players, including both foreign and Indian players.
Key Players:
- Joao Victor: A skilled box-to-box midfielder, Joao Victor is one of the finest foreign players in the ISL. He’s been a mainstay in Hyderabad FC’s midfield, contributing with goals and assists. His presence in midfield is vital for the team.
- Chinglensana Singh: The center-back is entering his fourth season with the club. With the departure of Odei Onaindia, Singh is expected to play a key role in organizing the defense. His experience and ball-playing ability are valuable assets.
- Gurmeet Singh: The young goalkeeper had a standout campaign in the previous season. He stepped up when the first-choice keeper was injured, making crucial saves and keeping clean sheets. His performances have earned him a call-up to the senior national team.
Fixtures: Hyderabad FC’s opening game will be against FC Goa, featuring former head coach Manolo Marquez in the opposition dugout, making it a highly anticipated clash. They will face challenging away trips against East Bengal FC and Jamshedpur FC before playing their next home game a month later against Jamshedpur FC.
Hyderabad FC has shown remarkable progress in a short span of time, and with their new leadership group and player acquisitions, they will be aiming to maintain their competitive edge in the upcoming ISL season.
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