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PANJIM: Aridane Santana scored a quick second-half brace scoring in span of 39 seconds to turn the tables to influence Hyderabad to a thrilling 3-2 win against SC East Bengal at Tilak Maidan, on Tuesday.
Whilst Aridane was the scorer it was the Goan lad once again changing the game for Hyderabad. Liston was instrumental in all three goals for the winners. Winning the free-kick for the first and then assisted the next two goals for the team. The former Salgoacar lad was all over the place for Hyderabad bringing in positive energy in the side which saw them put up finer display in the second- half.
Though Jacques Maghoma double helped SCEB get back two goals, Narzary’s goal proved to be the decider.
Aridane Santana was back in the side for Hyderabad FC after missing out in their 1-1 draw against ATK MB. Mohammed Yasir was the second change in the starting XI as Souvik Chakrabarti and Liston Colaco were dropped to the bench.
For SC East Bengal, CK Vineeth started in place of suspended Eugeneson Lyngdoh while Debjit Majumder featured in the away goal.
Hyderabad FC were clearly the better side in the opening quarter and kept them at the arm’s length and limited them to their own half. It was SC East Bengal’s ability to survive the early onslaught and score against the run of play.
The home side created maximum chances but their frontline of Aridane and Poojary couldn’t get the ball at the back of the net. They should have been easily up by a goal or a two in the first quarter.
Robbie Fowler would be pleased his side went ahead in the 26th minute with their first shot on target scoring their first goal in the ISL. Anthony Pilkington played Matti Steinmann through on the flank, who squared it for Jacques Maghoma and the Congolese fired home with a powerful drive which even Subrata Paul couldn’t keep it out despite getting a hand to the ball.
The Nizams pursuit for goal continued and they earned a penalty in the first half injury time when Sehnaj Singh mistimed his clearance and brought down Mohammed Yasir inside the box compelling the referee to point towards the spot. But Hyderabad misery continued as Majumder guessed Santana’s penalty and pulled off a stunning save to keep their lead intact.
The introduction of Colaco inspired Hyderabad FC to get back in the game which saw Santana score two-quick goals within a minute to overturn the game in their favour.
The Nizams scored the equaliser in the 56th minute from a set-piece. Yasir dipped in a perfect free-kick to Santana, who leapt highest to flick the ball into the back of the net past Majumder.
Santana scored his second within 39 seconds. Yasir initiated the move after winning the ball in the centre and played on the right to Colaco. The substitute drilled in a low cross at the far post to an unmarked Santana, who slotted home to put the Nizams ahead.
Hyderabad scored their third in the 68th minute and it was Colaco once again with yet another fine assist. The Goan lad danced his way past two SCEB defenders and played a low cross at the far post to an unmarked Halicharan Narzary, who tapped the ball into empty net. The goal dented SCEB hopes of any comeback into the game.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Maghoma scored with a diving header to guide in a Pilkington from the right.
