Hyderabad FC struck twice in the second half to hold NorthEast United FC to a 2-2 draw at the Gachibowli Stadium in the Indian Super League on Monday.
Parthib Gogoi brought an end to his nine-match-long streak without finding the back of the net in the 32nd minute of the game. Picking the ball down the centre against a haphazard Hyderabad FC backline, he backed his instincts to go for the goal from distance, and converted the effort to secure his fourth strike of the season.
The home team’s defence never really came to the fore, and it reflected in the second half of the game as well. Seasoned goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani ensured that NorthEast United FC didn’t add more to their tally, making three saves and completing an impressive 92% of his 26 passes in this match.
However, there is little he could have done to prevent the own goal that Hyderabad FC defender Alex Saji scored six minutes into the second half, giving the Juan Pedro Benali-coached side a decisive lead in the contest.
However, Hyderabad FC didn’t let their shoulders down, and instead gave it their all to give a strong fight and bag all they could from the game. It started with Makhan Chothe ending his goal drought in the 70th minute. Chothe had taken 17 shots without scoring a goal this season, and it took a headed effort from a cross by Abdul Rabeeh to cut the deficit for starters.
Hyderabad FC carried on that momentum, and so did Chothe. Abdul Rabeeh found Chothe on the left flank with an aerial pass and the youngster whipped in a good low cross.
Goalkeeper Mirshad Michu came for the cross only to parry it straight to Joao Victor who was positioned merely yards away from goal. Victor merely tapped the ball in to equalise and make this only the fifth game from which Hyderabad FC picked up a point from.