ISL Season 8: Hyderabad FC have been in sensational form this season as they reached the summit of the Indian Super League points table for the first time in their club’s history. The Nizams have shown great consistency this season under the tutelage of Manolo Marquez Roca. Follow all the ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
While Bartholomew Ogbeche has been firing on all cylinders there are plenty more reasons why the Nizams are the favourites to win the ISL shield and even the title later on. Overall the team has prospered collectively and therefore they are the neutral’s favourite this season heading into the business end of the season.
Here are five reasons why Hyderabad FC are favourites to win the ISL shield
Right mix of youth and experience
Hyderabad FC over the last couple of seasons have been very particular about giving chances to their younger players. Manolo Marquez has always prioritized building a structure that will allow the team to play a certain brand of football and develop youngsters along the way. Marquez’s Hyderabad last season was known for their eye-catching gameplay and exuberant Indian youngsters. This season has been no different for the Nizams.
The team has been built to suit the gameplay that Manolo Marquez prefers and despite the departure of some talented Indian players like Danmawia Ralte, Seityasen Singh and Liston Colaco, Hyderabad never looked out of sorts. Marquez brought in Aniket Jadhav to replace Liston and the young winger has repaid the Spaniard’s trust with great performances this season. Their fullback duo of Akash Mishra and Asish Rai have continued their growth this season. Whereas Chinglensana, Hitesh and Souvik have been crucial to their success this season.
The Spaniard has also brought in great foreigners who have plied their trade in the ISL for many years like Juanan, Bartholomew Ogbeche and Edu Garcia. The players have shared their experiences with the youngsters and that have elevated the overall quality of the team.
Bringing in experienced foreigners
One of the prime reasons for Hyderabad FC’s success this season has to be their selection of foreigners. It was surprising when they let go of Spanish defender Onai Oneindia after his exceptional debut season in the ISL. But Marquez brought in former Bengaluru FC veteran Juanan Gonzalez as his replacement. Juanan has been with the Blues for many years and have won several accolades with the Blues. Similarly bringing in Bartholomew Ogbeche was the biggest game-changer for the Nizams. The Nigerian replaced Aridane Santana and has been in fiery form this season. The same story continues for Edu Garcia and Javi Siverio as they have also played their roles pretty well in helping the Nizams get where they truly deserve.
Trusting the process under Manolo Marquez
Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez laid the foundation of success from the last season. It took time for the players to acclimatise themselves with his possession-based attacking football. Despite playing eye-catchy football and getting some great results against top teams they could only manage a fifth-place finish under the Spaniard. Given the results earlier it was a massive upgrade but credit to the team management as well for sticking with Marquez and building this legacy in the ISL.
Marquez is earning plaudits from every Indian football fans for his ability to bring out the best in Indian footballers. He has evolved a couple of players this season and all that has paid dividends as the Nizams are at the summit of the ISL points table. While the Spanish tactician has done his job with aplomb, the backing from the team management also deserves a lot of praise. Things take time in football and also in life and good things happen to those who wait.
The Bartholomew Ogbeche influence
𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄! 🌟
Ogbeche now becomes the all-time leading goal scorer in #HeroISL history, with 4️⃣9️⃣ goals! 👏🏻#NEUHFC #LetsFootball | @HydFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/JksEwnnG8j
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 31, 2022
Bartholomew Ogbeche is a name of an ISL sensation who has never had a poor season in the league ever since he came to Indian shores joining NorthEast United in 2017. He is currently the leading goal scorer in ISL history, as he recently leapfrogged Ferran Corominas and Sunil Chhetri who are in joint second position. Apart from that, the Nigerian striker is the top scorer for three different ISL outfits! He leads the goalscoring charts for NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters and Hyderabad FC. At Mumbai City FC last season he played second fiddle to Adam Le Fondre and still registered seven goals ad four assists and guided the Islanders to the first-ever ISL double (Shield and trophy).
This season Ogbeche has been flawless, everything that he has done has resulted in something fruitful in the field. He has already recorded 14 goals in 13 matches and is way ahead of the chasing pack this season. So the 37-year-old’s experience and goalscoring prowess has also played a big role in Hyderabad FC’s success.
An exciting brand of football
Manolo Marquez impressed everyone with his gameplay right after he landed on Indian shores. Hyderabad FC are undoubtedly the neutral’s favourite and that has been the case this season as well. Marquez’s brand of football has a rich Spanish influence where he wants to hold the ball more and move it around with intent. He also uses the flanks really well as an attacking outlet. The Nizams have bombarded the opposition penalty box with crosses from either flank. They have mustered a total of 248 crosses in 14 matches and have scored the highest number of goals till now (33).
While it is clear that Ogbeche is the man leading the attack but players like Siverio, Joel Chianese and Edu Garcia have also played their roles really well whenever they have had the opportunity of playing in the hole behind the Nigerian. However, the highlight of this season has to be the growth and improvement of the fullbacks Asish Rai and Akash Mishra. Both the youngsters have shown tremendous maturity in their movement up and down the field and have only gotten better from last season under the tutelage of Manolo Marquez. New signing Aniket Jadhav has also been a trailblazer in his development under the Spaniard. The youngster has strength, stamina and speed to threaten the opposition defenders throughout ninety minutes. However, Marquez will like to work on his decision making near the final third, an area that the 21-year-old needs to improve to increase his productivity.
Overall Manolo Marquez is building a system and have chosen players who can fit into that system. Apart from playing an attractive brand of football, the Nizams have been very effective this season. While the foreigners have earned more plaudits it has been the Indian players who have created the difference between them and the other teams.
Editors pick
