Goa: SC East Bengal and Hyderabad FC played out a 1-1 draw in their 2021-22 Indian Super League fixture at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Thursday( December 22). The Nizams climbed to second place in the table extended their unbeaten run to six matches. Although for the Red & Gold Brigade, they remained winless in eight matches.
Amir Dervisevic gave SC East Bengal an early lead against on 20 minutes scoring from a freekick but Bartholomew Ogbeche equalized with a header to bring the match level on 35 minutes.
Joel Chianese put Arindam Bhattacharya to test as early as the 12th minute after a cautious start from both teams. However, it was East Bengal who went into the lead with a powerful direct free-kick from outside the box by Amir Dervisevic.
The midfielder’s left-footed shot caught Laxmikant Kattimani unawares, who could have done better in saving the attempt. Daniel Chima Chukwu had a golden chance to double the lead but he missed the fabulous opportunity as he sent his shot wide being in a one-on-one situation just before the half-hour mark.
Following the drinks break, Hyderabad turned up the intensity and scored the equaliser through Ogbeche. Aniket Jadhav’s pinpoint cross found Ogbeche, who headed it easily past the goalkeeper. Just a few moments after the equalizer, Mohammad Rafique then blasted a shot against the crossbar with a powerful shot from outside the box after latching on to a layoff by Chukwu. Both teams went into the break on equal terms.
After the game restarted for the second half, neither of the team found the back of the net. Hyderabad FC will next play Odisha FC at the Athletic Stadium on Tuesday( December 28) while SC East Bengal has some time to rest before they face Bengaluru FC on Tuesday in the next year (January 4).
