PANJIM: FC Goa’s winning run in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season under head coach Carlos Pena came to a halt on Saturday.
The Gaurs went down 0-1 to defending champions Hyderabad FC at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli after winning two out of two away matches.
Javier Siverio found the net in the 10th minute and that was enough to ensure the home side three points. FC Goa, however, spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to equalize and Alvaro Vazquez will rue a penalty miss in the second half.
FC Goa rang in two changes to the team that featured in the win against Chennaiyin FC. Dheeraj Singh and midfielder Glan Martins were replaced by Arshdeep Singh and Ayush Chhetri respectively.
Bartholomew Ogbeche headed the ball off a throw-in into the path of Javier Siverio, who beat his marker and ran into the box before effecting a composed finish to put Hyderabad ahead. The goal followed intensified attempts by the visitors to equalise. Redeem Tlang went close in the 22nd minute in a one-on-one situation with Laxmikant Kattimani.
Floodlight issues stalled the match twice, upsetting the teams’ rhythm.
Crossing over, the Gaurs relentlessly searched for a goal and it looked like the pressure would bear fruit in the 58th minute. Iker Guarrtoxena found Noah Sadaoui in the box with a brilliant pass from out wide but Hyderabad’s doughty defence held sway.
FC Goa also looked to be the better side overall following the introduction of Fares Arnaout, Makan Chothe, Brison Fernandes, Princeton Rebello and Alvaro Vazquez in the second half. The Gaurs kept things tight in defence and created several goal-scoring chances, but a lack of bite in the final third haunted them harshly.
Pena’s boys got their best chance of the match in the 83rd minute when Alvaro Vazquez, who came on in the second half, won a penalty following Akash Mishra’s foul on him. He, however, could not beat the goalkeeper from the spot as he skewed his shot wide.
During stoppage time, they came close to scoring once again when Edu Bedia directed a half-volley in on goal from a delightful cross from the right by Chothe. This time, Kattimani rose up to the occasion with a timely save.
FC Goa will now play their first home match of the season on November 3, when they take on Jamshedpur FC at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda.
