Hyderabad FC held on to a draw by Delhi FC

by Chittu Shetty August 6, 2023

Newly promoted I – League side Delhi FC held last year’s semi-finalists Hyderabad FC to a 1-1 draw in a Group E fixture of the 132^nd IndianOil Durand Cup being played here at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.

Himanshu Jangra scored for Delhi FC in the 6^th minute while Ramhlunchhunga equalized for Hyderabad FC in the second half.

Both teams struggled to get going in the game because of the conditions as it was raining heavily. Delhi FC seemed to manage the conditions well and as a result took the lead in the 6^th minute of the game. Bhupinder Singh put in a cross from the right wing which was misjudged by HFC goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh.

Himanshu Jangra who forced the mistake, poked it into the empty goal giving the side from Delhi the lead. Hyderabad FC players who rely on their flair and quick passing found it difficult to create any chances. HFC got their best chance to equalize in the 27^th minute through a corner. The ball beat the defence and found Aaren D Silva who was unmarked at the far post, but he shot wide. Himanshu Jangra forced Gurmeet Singh to make an acrobatic save in the closing stages of the half.

The rain stopped before the start of the second half and conditions became better suited for Hyderabad who started to control the game. Mohammed Yasir and Ramhlunchhunga started their pacey runs creating problems for the Delhi defense.

The equalizer came through a corner kick from one such run. Ramhlunchhunga took the corner kick which beat everybody inside the box including Delhi FC goalkeeper Pawan Kumar and found the back of the net. Hyderabad were looking dangerous going forward but Delhi defended resiliently and also were a threat in the counterattacks. They almost stole the game in the final minutes of the game when Himanshu Jangra’s shot just rolled past the post.

Hyderabad FC (Chhunga HMR 57’) 1 – 1 Delhi FC (Himanshu 6’)

Hyderabad FC will face Chennaiyin FC in their next match on 10^th August while Delhi FC will face Tribhuvan Army FC, Nepal on 9^th August. Both matches will be played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.

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