MARGAO, Jan 5: Bartholomew Ogbeche produced a vintage performance as Hyderabad FC went back to top of the Indian Super League (ISL) table after beating FC Goa 3-1 here on Thursday.
Ogbeche, who had previously scored only three goals in the season coming into the game, put Hyderabad FC in front on two occasions before sealing the result at the end with a hat-trick.
Both teams got off to a slow start in this fixture. Neither had created any big chances in the first 15 minutes, but Hyderabad FC have never needed to be in control of the game to score goals, and they showed that once again.
Halicharan Narzary picked out Ogbeche from the left flank, and the Nigerian striker placed his header to perfection to give Hyderabad FC the lead in the 20th minute.
In the 54th minute, Sadaoui and Iker Guarrotxena combined to test Hyderabad FC’s goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh, who made a great save to deny Guarrotxena’s volley after picking up a pass from the left.
Moments later, FC Goa came up with a similar move but found success. Sadaoui held up the ball on the left before floating it for a rushing Redeem Tlang to power the ball into the back of the net and level the score.
FC Goa enjoyed most of the possession but weren’t able to turn that into goals. Ogbeche made them pay for it by putting Hyderabad FC in the lead in the 79th minute. The ISL’s all-time top goalscorer got on the end of a rebound and smashed the ball into the roof of the net to give Hyderabad FC the lead.
He got his hat-trick in the 90th minute and confirmed the three points for Hyderabad FC with a sublime header.
Hyderabad FC will host Chennaiyin FC at the G.M.C. Balayogi Atheltic Stadium in Hyderabad on January 12. FC Goa will visit the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati to face NorthEast United FC on January 15, and will be hoping Odisha FC slip up when they play next, as even a point to the Juggernauts will push them into sixth place. (PTI)
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