East Bengal FC secured their third consecutive victory by defeating Hyderabad FC 1-0 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on December 28, 2024, during the Indian Super League (ISL) clash. This match was pivotal for both teams, with East Bengal striving to maintain momentum and Hyderabad seeking to break free from their disappointing form.
East Bengal approached the game with renewed confidence, having won four of their last five matches. Coach Oscar Bruzon expressed his team's determination to continue their upward trend, stating, "We have been very concerned about complacency and in this game, from the beginning, we will look to get the best here." East Bengal was eager to capitalize on their recent successes, which included impressive performances and victories against strong opponents.
The match began with both teams feeling the pressure of their current standings—Hyderabad FC languished at the bottom of the table, having endured five consecutive losses leading up to this encounter. Their interim head coach, Shameel Chembakath, emphasized the importance of securing points, saying, "There will not be much changes in the squad and the goal will be to secure full points in this game.” Both managers were acutely aware of how this match could impact their respective campaigns.
The first half was marked by lacklustre performances, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. The game seemed to stagnate as players fought for control, but the tide began to turn as the second half unfolded.
It wasn’t until the 64th minute when the deadlock was finally broken. Cleiton Silva expertly placed his free-kick which ricocheted off the crossbar. Quick to react, Jeakson Singh followed up vigorously to put East Bengal FC one goal up. The stadium erupted as the visitors took the lead, signaling their intent to maintain dominance over Hyderabad FC.
Despite going down, Hyderabad attempted to rally, with sporadic chances created by their forwards. Yet, each effort was thwarted by the resolute East Bengal defense, which showed discipline and efficiency. Alex Saji, key to Hyderabad's hopes, displayed his skills, averaging 5.8 clearances per game, yet it wasn’t sufficient to draw them back level.
Hyderabad FC’s struggles continued, with their defense exposed multiple times throughout the match. This encounter marked their 26th goal allowed this season, just having conceded 15 goals across their last five matches. The team’s inability to keep the opposition at bay has been their Achilles' heel, leading to widespread criticism of their tactical formation and execution.
East Bengal’s success came as they maintained their defensive structure, complementing their attack’s effectiveness. With another clean sheet under their belt, this win means they have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches, which has been pivotal for their resurgence up the league table.
The victory lifted East Bengal FC, moving them higher up the points table, positioning them at 11th with 16 points from 13 matches. Meanwhile, for Hyderabad FC, the defeat deepened their woes, leaving them rooted at the bottom with just 7 points from 13 matches.
This contest underscored the contrasting trajectories of the two teams.
Going forward, East Bengal will aim to build on this momentum as they aspire to break new ground and achieve three consecutive wins for the first time in their ISL history. Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC must address their tactical deficiencies if they hope to salvage their current season.
