It is a must-win game against Kerala: Hyderabad FC coach

Speaking on the eve of their clash, Hyderabad FC coach Manolo Marquez felt this result will decide their fate in the league.

Hyderabad: Having managed to win a point in the injury time against SC East Bengal, Hyderabad FC are in a crunch situation. With only three matches left in the season and the last two games are scheduled against tough opponents like FC Goa and ATK Mohun Bagan, Hyderabad look to pocket full three points in the match against Kerala Blasters.

Speaking on the eve of their clash, Hyderabad FC coach Manolo Marquez felt this result will decide their fate in the league. “Of course, this is a very important match for us. The point against East Bengal was crucial and winning this is vital. We are into our last three games. NorthEast United have possibility to finish in the Top 4. So, NorthEast, Goa and Hyderabad are fighting for the two remaining places. We have to win the next game against Kerala if we need to get into top 4,” said the Spaniard.

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The 52-year-old was happy to pocket a point against East Bengal in the nick of time when Santana Aridane found the equaliser in the dying minutes of the game. He lauded the veteran player saying, “He is a very good centre forward. For us, he is very important both on and of the pitch. He scored eight goals this season and had scored 9 last season. It is not easy to maintain that consistency. He is a fantastic player.”

When asked whether Hyderabad team needed to be on attacking mode from the beginning like they were in the final moments of the matches against Bengaluru FC and East Bengal, he said, “We were losing both those games so we had to be attacking. We dominated the first half but we could not score the first goals in the matches. The other teams scored first goals and we had to come back. We missed clear chances in the first halves against Bengaluru and East Bengal. In the final minutes the game we played with a lot of risk. If we do that from the beginning, we have more chances to lose the game than win,” he pointed out.

However, he said they would continue to play the game in their style they are known for so far in this season. “We are in the race for top 4 because we are playing a very good season. All the teams, barring Odisha who can’t progress, can climb up in the table. We saved one point in injury times in the both games (against Bengaluru and East Bengal). We will continue to play in our style against Kerala as well as we can’t change our game style. Though we got draws in the last six games, we have to continue it. We want to enter Top four,” he concluded.

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