Panaji: More than half of Hyderabad FC’s 19 remaining registered players for the Indian Super League (ISL) are yet to make their debut. Four are goalkeepers and captain Joao Victor, the only foreigner in the squad.
With most of their seniors either terminating contracts due to non-payment of salaries, or moving elsewhere on loan, the former ISL champions are now the weakest side in the league.
More concerns cropped up on the eve of the team’s clash against FC Goa at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday.
According to sources, the turf has not been maintained. “Terrible condition,” a source who had a look told TOI, while the floodlights could be tested only late in the night after vendors refused to cooperate due to non-payment of dues. League officials don’t really know what to expect on the day of the match.
“Prior permission for this game was not obtained so police will not allow more than 1000 spectators,” said another official.
FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez knows he will be up against a considerably weakened team, who he coached with great success for the last three years, including winning the trophy in 2022. But the experienced Spanish coach isn’t taking anything for granted.
“Our aim is to get the three points, but it won’t be an easy game,” Manolo told TOI during the pre-match media interaction. “In the Super Cup, except for Sreenidi (Deccan), they did well in the games, leading 1-0 against Mohun Bagan and an eventual 3-2 loss against East Bengal. I think they will be competitive, at least in the initial games. But if they don’t get good results, they can go down. In the first few games, they will put up a fight.”
Manolo recalled his first season in India when Hyderabad were up against Kerala Blasters. The opponents fielded a depleted side with just two foreign players. After looking at the line-up, his team, Manolo felt, was “too confident” and ended up losing the game 2-0.
“With Hyderabad, more or less we know the team they will field since they do not have many players. The first 11 is competitive. I was part of the (coaching) staff, but this is a strange situation for me. Probably this is the only time I will find a game like this,” said Manolo.
Hyderabad coach Thangboi Singto is counting on his inexperienced players to make an impact, particularly after the youngsters proved they could match stronger teams.
“I would like to take this as a big opportunity to do something for the club. Is it going to be easy? Definitely not. Of course, playing with a young squad, there will be glimpses of hope when the boys do well against big clubs. But we are going to try our best,” said Singto.
Goa are unbeaten with 24 points from their first 10 matches and can move to the top of the table with a win. Hyderabad are yet to register a win in the league.
With most of their seniors either terminating contracts due to non-payment of salaries, or moving elsewhere on loan, the former ISL champions are now the weakest side in the league.
More concerns cropped up on the eve of the team’s clash against FC Goa at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday.
According to sources, the turf has not been maintained. “Terrible condition,” a source who had a look told TOI, while the floodlights could be tested only late in the night after vendors refused to cooperate due to non-payment of dues. League officials don’t really know what to expect on the day of the match.
“Prior permission for this game was not obtained so police will not allow more than 1000 spectators,” said another official.
FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez knows he will be up against a considerably weakened team, who he coached with great success for the last three years, including winning the trophy in 2022. But the experienced Spanish coach isn’t taking anything for granted.
“Our aim is to get the three points, but it won’t be an easy game,” Manolo told TOI during the pre-match media interaction. “In the Super Cup, except for Sreenidi (Deccan), they did well in the games, leading 1-0 against Mohun Bagan and an eventual 3-2 loss against East Bengal. I think they will be competitive, at least in the initial games. But if they don’t get good results, they can go down. In the first few games, they will put up a fight.”
Manolo recalled his first season in India when Hyderabad were up against Kerala Blasters. The opponents fielded a depleted side with just two foreign players. After looking at the line-up, his team, Manolo felt, was “too confident” and ended up losing the game 2-0.
“With Hyderabad, more or less we know the team they will field since they do not have many players. The first 11 is competitive. I was part of the (coaching) staff, but this is a strange situation for me. Probably this is the only time I will find a game like this,” said Manolo.
Hyderabad coach Thangboi Singto is counting on his inexperienced players to make an impact, particularly after the youngsters proved they could match stronger teams.
“I would like to take this as a big opportunity to do something for the club. Is it going to be easy? Definitely not. Of course, playing with a young squad, there will be glimpses of hope when the boys do well against big clubs. But we are going to try our best,” said Singto.
Goa are unbeaten with 24 points from their first 10 matches and can move to the top of the table with a win. Hyderabad are yet to register a win in the league.