Unbeaten Hyderabad condemned East Bengal to yet another defeat in the ongoing seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan Stadium yesterday.

Hyderabad started brighter of the two sides and dominated possession early on. They had a big chance to go ahead in the 13th minute when an Odei Onaindia header from a Hyderabad corner had to be cleared away from danger by SC East Bengal defenders.

A smartly worked short corner by Hyderabad six minutes later led to another opportunity to score. This time it was a Santana header at the far post that forced SC East Bengal’s goalkeeper Debjit Majumder into a save. Another Santana header in the 21st minute led to Majumder scrambling in goal to push the ball behind for a corner.

However, when the opening goal of the match did come, it came for SC East Bengal in the 26th minute against the run of play. After keeping possession on the left for the Kolkata club, Anthony Pilkington played a pass into the box for Matti Steinmann, who cut the ball back for Maghoma and the Congolese midfielder made no mistake with a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.

Hyderabad had a huge opportunity to equalise two minutes after going behind, but Nikhil Poojary couldn’t keep his free header off a cross from the left on target. Santana stepped up and went to the goalkeeper’s right but Majumder anticipated correctly and dived to make the save. The Kolkata club could have added insult to injury by doubling their lead just before the break. However, CK Vineeth dragged his effort wide after being put through on goal as SC East Bengal went into the halftime interval with a 1-0 lead.

Hyderabad began the second period on the front foot in search of an equaliser and tested Majumder early on. They were rewarded for their attacking intent with two quick goals from Santana in the space of a minute. The Spaniard’s first goal came after he rose highest to get a deft touch with his head on a freekick to level the score. His second came less seconds later when substitute Liston Colaco passed the ball towards the far post for Santana, who finished first-time into the back of the net to make it 2-1.

Hyderabad put some daylight between them and SC East Bengal in the 68th minute by scoring their third goal of the night. Colaco was once again the provider after a brilliant run into the box ended with him squaring the ball for Narzary, who had a simple tap in to make it 3-1 for the Telangana-based side. East Bengal pulled one back through Maghoma in the 81st minute to set up a grandstand finish. The Congolese midfielder was first to get his head to a Pilkington free kick and direct it beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-2.

AWARDS

Hero of the Match – Aridane Santana; DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Liston Colaco (Hyderabad FC).