Former champions Hyderabad FC lose to Punjab FC in league phase of ISL

Hyderabad: Former champions Hyderabad FC suffered a 1-3 loss against Punjab FC in the league phase of the ISL at the GMC Balayogi Stadium here on Thursday night.

One of the highlights was when Punjab FC’s  Shami Singamayum became the youngest-ever goal-scorer in ISL history at the age of 17 years and 322 days. Though Punjab is out of reckoning for the play-offs, it took its points tally to 27 points after this win.

Asmir Suljic was a force to reckon with inside the Hyderabad FC defensive half to ensure that Punjab FC got off the blocks creatively.

Punjab FC took the lead, courtesy of an own goal by Alex Saji in the 41st minute. Muhammad Suhail made the ambitious choice of going for
the goal from distance in the upon receiving a pass from Ricky Shabong, and though the move did not culminate into a goal, the sustained period of pressure for a brief while thereafter resulted in Hyderabad FC losing shape at the back, as Alex was unable to cap off a fairly straightforward clearance and instead ended up slotting the ball in his net, breaking the deadlock before the half-time break.

Suhail spotted Majcen at the centre of the box in the 56th minute and served him an impeccably well-weighted pass, which the forward drilled into the bottom left corner with his right foot at ease to double his team’s lead.

Punjab capitalised again in the 86th minute, as Petros Giakoumakis played a leading role in rounding off a counter-attacking sequence by
serving Shami Singamayum a delivery outside the box, which the youngster deposited into the centre of the net with his left foot.

Hyderabad FC pulled a goal back late into the second half, as Ramhlunchhunga brought his efficiency from distance to the fore by
hammering a pass from Cy Goddard into the bottom right corner, but the side ran out of time to make something out of this stunning strike and ended up conceding the three points to Punjab FC.

Hyderabad FC will play Kerala Blasters FC on March 12, whereas Punjab FC are set to square off against Mohammedan SC on March 10.

The result:

Punjab FC 3 (Alex Saji OG 41’, Luka Majcen 56’, Shami Singamayum 86’)
bt HFC 1 (Ramhlunchhunga 90+4’)