Hyderabad FC registered its fifth successive win this season as it edged past Jamshedpur FC 1-0 to consolidate its top spot in the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Wednesday.
Mohammed Yasir scored again for the defending champion in the second half to end the winless streak against the Red Miners.
The host made four changes to the side that lost to FC Goa in the last match.
Head-coach Aidy Boothroyd replaced injured Eli Sabia with Pratik Chaudhari in defence. In midfield, Wellington Priori dropped to the bench, and Laldinpuia Pachuau took his place. Jay Thomas and Harry Sawyer started as Farukh Choudhary, and Ritwik Das started from the bench.
The visitors made just one change that saw Bartholomew Ogbeche start as Borja Herrera returned to the bench.
Despite being goalless, the first-half was a decent one for Jamshedpur. None of the Hyderabad FC players tested Rehenesh TP.
At the other end, Laxmikant Kattimani barely managed to keep Daniel Chukwu’s header out of goal before being stretchered off with an injury after a collision with Harry Sawyer.
Before the visitors were forced to make a substitution, Jamshedpur had to replace Laldinpuia Pachuau in the 25th minute. Farukh Choudhary hopped on to replace the injured midfielder.
Towards the end of the first half, Sawyer entered the box and faced the goal from an acute angle. The striker opted to shoot rather than pass and saw his effort fly high.
The game’s complexion changed early in the second half as Hyderabad FC drew first blood.
Halicharan Narzary’s low cross aimed at Ogbeche was intercepted by Peter Hartley. However, the ball eventually landed in front of an unmarked Yasir, who squeezed the ball in at the near-post in the 48th minute.
Approaching the final quarter of the game, the host finally tested substitute keeper Anuj Kumar. Boris Singh found Sawyer with a low cross inside the box. Sawyer had his back towards goal as he rolled it back towards Hartley, whose shot was low and hard, but unable to beat Anuj.
Seven minutes from regulation time, Odei Onaindia headed the ball back towards Anuj. Under pressure from Ishan Pandita, Anuj fumbled and ended up handling the ball outside the box. The shot-stopper only saw a yellow card for the offence, and Jamshedpur FC failed to get anything from the resulting free kick.
The win took Hyderabad FC seven points clear at the top with 13 points. Its next challenge will come at home on November 19 when they host Kerala Blasters.
Jamshedpur FC remains at ninth place after its third loss of the season. It plays Chennaiyin FC at the Marina Arena on November 19.
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