Mohun Bagan brace for a spirited challenge against Hyderabad FC at the Gachibowli Stadium on Wednesday. The Jose Molina-led Green and Maroon brigade are aiming to give their fans a Diwali gift with a win over the Nizams, while the Yellow Army arrives confident after a commanding 4-0 victory over Mohammedan in their last outing.
With two consecutive Kolkata Derby wins and clean sheets, the high-flying Mohun Bagan hopes to extend its winning streak over Hyderabad, having won three out of their last five encounters. However, Molina remains cautious, noting the challenge ahead: “Hyderabad is a mix of youth and experience, along with some quality foreign players. They’ll certainly be looking to prove themselves against Mohun Bagan SG.”
Despite starting their season later than others and facing setbacks with delayed arrivals of their foreign players, Hyderabad FC got a boost with their recent 4-0 win over Mohammedan. However, head coach Thangboi Singto believes Mohun Bagan has a slight advantage, having had a 10-day break since their Derby match, while Hyderabad barely had time to train, playing Mohammedan just three days prior.
Hyderabad FC broke a seven-game winless streak with their victory over Mohammedan SC and now aim for back-to-back wins. This consistency was last seen in a strong five-game run between December 2022 and February 2023. The team hopes that their recent form will allow them to reach their full potential.
For Mohun Bagan, midfielder Apuia is likely to start on the bench after sustaining an injury in a training session on October 21. Although he has fully recovered, Molina may opt to rest him, giving Abhishek Suryabangshi a chance to start.
This season, Greg Stewart and Jamie Maclaren have emerged as a formidable duo for Mohun Bagan. Stewart has been instrumental in recent wins against Mohammedan and East Bengal, while Maclaren has scored in both derbies. Hyderabad will need a solid defensive effort to contain these two if they hope to shift the result in their favor.
The Hyderabad vs. Mohun Bagan rivalry has become a well-known fixture in the ISL, with both teams facing each other in two ISL playoffs, each emerging victorious once. However, in the previous season, Mohun Bagan claimed a 2-0 win in both encounters. With a revamped lineup, Hyderabad will be eager to seek revenge on their home turf this season.
Hyderabad’s CY Goddard poses a significant threat to Mohun Bagan. Previously with Odisha, Goddard has proven vital for Hyderabad this season, contributing a goal and an assist. Brazilian striker Allan Paulista, who netted twice against Mohammedan, will also be key to Hyderabad’s attack alongside Goddard.
While Molina will miss the energy of a home crowd, his priority remains clear: securing three points and a clean sheet from this game. “We improve our defense by improving our attack. For me, it’s the whole team working together—11 players defending and attacking in unison. That’s what we’ve focused on in recent matches,” Molina shared.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad’s Coach Singto is encouraged by his team’s performance against Mohammedan and looks to replicate the same display against the Mariners. “During the game against Mohammedan SC, I reminded the team of our strong start against Jamshedpur FC. They executed very well. Each player understood their role, from the forward line to the midfield. Comprehending and implementing strategies together led to a cohesive performance,” Singto reflected.
Head-to-Head
The two teams have met 12 times in the ISL, with Hyderabad FC winning twice. Mohun Bagan Super Giant has won five times, and the remaining five matches ended in draws.