Can Hyderabad FC turn the tables around this time?
Hyderabad is a team which caught everyone’s eye last season with some fantastic performances last season and gave a fight to the finish in their race to reach the top four but unfortunately fell just short of the fourth placed FC Goa by just two points.
Apart from their overall performance Hyderabad were praised for the way they bought out the best in their Indian players as most of the one’s in the starting line up shined and put up a mouthwatering performance last season, but many believed that the absence of big names in their foreign recruitment cost them not just the top 4 but also a possible silverware.
And that’s exactly where the HFC management has worked this season as they have roped in some names with a brilliant portfolio to steady their ship this season.
1. Juanan – Spain?? (34)- CB
Juanan is a prominent name that everyone who has followed Indian football from 2016 knows as that’s the year when he set foot on the Indian soil to play for one time ISL and super cup champions Bangaluru FC. Since then he has been a star in the position that he has played a no. Of 111 games for BFC in many competitions including the AFC cup and the AFC champions league qualification matches. With all these games under his belt he is definitely bound to bring that experience that Hyderabad FC was looking for to anchor their defence.
2. Joao Victor – Brazil?? (33)- DMF
Joao is a player who promises to be the one who can anchor the HFC ship in the right direction. The brazilian defensive midfielder who can also play in the central mid is not an easy cake as this person has proven his worth in the ISL the previous season. The star who has plied his trade in La Liga and also has the experience of playing in the AFC champions league. He did prove out to be a dominant force in HFC’s run last season also contributing with 3 goals and 2 assists the previous season and creating a lot many chances. The HFC management and it’s fans would be looking forward to more of Victor’s contributions from the mid this season as it will be a decisive factor in HFC’s Title race this season.
3. Edu Garcia – Spain?? (31) – LW
Now this is not an unfamiliar name for anyone who follows Indian club football. Edu has made quite a name for himself with the attractive brand of football he brings on to the table for any team he plays. After joining BFC in 2018 Edu has never looked back in his career as everything he touched has turned out to be gold ever since. Fortunes changed for Edu when after a break he returned to Indian footballing map with ATK (ATKMB now) and ended up claiming the most coveted prize in Indian club football right now the ISL trophy itself. Ever since joining ATK he has always been a go to man on the turf whenever ATKMB looked like falling behind in any match. There is no doubt that with the type of players that HFC has in it’s arsenal it’s bound to bring the best out of Edu this upcoming season and everyone would be waiting in excitement to watch the combination of Edu García and Ogbeche and what wonders they are going to create this season in front of goal for Hyderabad FC.
4. Joel Chianese – Australia?? (31) Right winger
No one would forget Joel so easily as he was a player that made sure to make his mark in the ISL like any other player who has ever doned the jersey of an ISL side coming from A-League as he ended up scoring 3 goals and 1 assist in his previous stint for HFC before going back to Perth Glory where he scored another 4 goals in the 12 games he played. Joel holds on to the Asian slot of HFC and is also been looked as one of the prominent asian signings made by any ISL club this season. But with the depth of foreign recruitment that HFC has it is unsure if Joel will get plenty of chances in the Starting 11 of HFC as he is likely to be used as a substitute who can come from the bench and create wonders for the squad. But only time will tell if Manolo Marquez Roca will place his bets on Joel to start alongside Ogbeche and Edu given the limit on no. Of foreign players in the starting line up in ISL.
5. Javi Siverio – Spain?? (23)- CF
Another spanish name in the HFC ranks is the young Spanish striker Javi Siverio. The young gun has been roped into the squad from the spanish side Las Palmas Athletic. Javi is bound to be the back up striker for HFC who may find some playing time off the bench and may find ample time if Ogbeche finds any difficulty with his body. Whatever the scenario Javi has all the potential in him to be a player who’s name may ring among all the ISL fans as although he may have not got many chances to play in any top tier leagues or competitions the stats do show how much he likes to score goals and that he can be a real menace in front of goal if used wisely. Although we all know that in the presence of Ogbeche, Javi may get very few chances to prove his mettle but if he plays his cards right HFC may just get a 23 year old wonderkid who can turn out to be a deep asset for the coming years for HFC.
6. Bartholomew Ogbeche – Nigeria?? (37)- CF
Who else but the man himself, Bartholomew Ogbeche or Big Barth as he is famously known is all set to take the ISL by storm again but this time in Hyderabad FC colours. Scoring has never been a problem for Ogbeche and he has been brilliantly consistent in that department in all the ISL sides he has ever played for. Be it NEUFC, KBFC or MCFC you just couldn’t take your eyes of this fellow staring at your goalpost and ends up finding the net with ease every time he gets an opportunity to do so. Unlike his move to MCFC from KBFC Ogbeche is coming into the HFC roster as the defending champion of both the ISL league shield and ISL trophy which is bound to bring a massive uproar and thrill among the HFC fans. HFC’s dressing room where the young blooded stars of Hyderabad will be eager to share the pitch with this star man. Ogbeche is no doubt going to be the marquee man of HFC and is definitely going to be the go to man for Roca whenever he wants a goal from somewhere. Also with the addition of Edu Garcia to support him Ogbeche is sure to turn out to be a nightmare for the opposition defence in this upcoming ISL and his performance is really important for HFC if they are eyeing a title challenge this season.
– Aswin K S
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