Hyderabad FC thrashed Odisha FC 6-1 in their latest Indian Super League fixture and moved to second in the league table. Meanwhile, Odisha’s free fall continued – the Juggernauts are down to seventh after four without a win.
A high-flying Hyderabad met a free-falling Odisha in Bambolim on Tuesday night. One side was looking to go second in the table, closing the gap on leaders Mumbai City FC, while the other was looking to arrest their slump. In the end, Hyderabad prevailed, and in some fashion – the Nizams hit six past their hapless opponents in a display of dominance.
Hyderabad took the lead in the ninth minute through a Lalhrezuala Sailung own goal. The Odisha man inadvertently got the last touch of the ball as it snuck past Kamaljit Singh from a Hyderabad set-piece. However, minutes later, an own goal at the other end from Juanan leveled things up and sparked a period of dominance for Odisha.
The Juggernauts, during this phase, came close to taking the lead on several occasions. Striker Jonathas failed to convert from close range a teasing cross from the left before supplying Issac Vanmalsawma with a lofted ball, which the winger smashed into the post. Javi Hernandez drew a fine stop from Laxmikant Kattimani on the follow-up, as the chances went begging for the Juggernauts.
Hyderabad emerged from the onslaught unharmed and began to turn the screws on their opponents. Bartholomew Ogbeche scored the first of his two in the 39th minute – a powerful header from a corner after he was allowed a free run-up to the ball. After the restart, Edu Garcia increased the Nizams lead to two as he dummied past Hector Rodas and fired his shot from distance into the bottom corner.
By the hour mark, Hyderabad had taken a three-goal lead; Edu won possession deep inside the Odisha half, Aniket Jadhav collected the loose ball and passed it to Ogbeche, who composed himself before striking a powerful, low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.
Substitute Javier Siverio scored Hyderabad’s fifth in the 72nd minute, tapping in from close range after Juanan had set him up with a cushioned header. Siverio later drew a foul inside the box, allowing Joao Victor to step up and score his side’s sixth.
Odisha, winless in four, are down to seventh after a promising start to the season. Meanwhile, Hyderabad are up to second, a point behind leaders Mumbai City.
