Durand Cup 2022: Hyd FC begin campaign in style

Hyderabad: The reigning Indian Super League Champions Hyderabad FC began their Durand Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Tiddim Road Athletic union (TRAU) FC at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Monday. Halicharan Narzary (27th) and Borja Herrera (52nd) scored a goal each for their side. TRAU, who were coming into the […]

Hyderabad: The reigning Indian Super League Champions Hyderabad FC began their Durand Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Tiddim Road Athletic union (TRAU) FC at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Monday.

Halicharan Narzary (27th) and Borja Herrera (52nd) scored a goal each for their side. TRAU, who were coming into the match after a 1-3 loss to local rivals NEROCA in their opening game, started the brighter of the two sides.

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Hyderabad took the lead in the 27th minute through a quality Halicharan Narzaray strike. It was Spaniard Borja’s pressing that forced an error from the TRAU midfield and the loose ball was latched on to by Halicharan, who curled a spectacular shot from a distance into the top right corner.

Hyderabad slowed down the game after the goal but there was a lack of intention from the home side to press for the equaliser. Hyderabad took complete control of the proceedings in the second half, as they continued to play the attractive football that took them to the ISL summit last season.

The second goal also came through a screamer, in the 52nd minute, through Borja, who was rightly declared the Man of the Match. Mohammed Yasir found him from the right, and the Spaniard took a sublime first touch to produce a left-footed scorcher into the top corner. Hyderabad continued to maintain total control of the game and created a host of chances but could not convert them. They hit the bar at least twice without luck.