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That's a wrap from the first game of SUPER SUNDAY. It is also the end of the road for Nived Zenith with SportsTiger. An absolute pleasure bringing over 100 games of football to you over the course of the season. Thank you for tuning in to my final coverage. Always up for a chat on Indian football @ZeNived on Twitter, goodbye! *Mic Drop*
Hero of the match: FC Goa defender Adil Khan for his excellent defending all throughout. What a moment for him. Deemed surplus to requirements at Hyderabad and he has now knocked them out of the race on the final day of the season.
Hyderabad can hold their heads high despite missing out on the semi-finals. They finished rock-bottom last season and have been fantastic this term. The Nizams were exceptional under Manolo Marquez and will always remain as one of the best teams to have not qualified for the semis in the history of the league. For now, the limelight is on Goa, who book the last semi-final berth.
FC Goa hold on to qualify for the semi-finals. So close yet so far for Hyderabad, they were in it till the last second but eventually come up short. It ends goalless at the Fatorda courtesy of some excellent defending by Goa in the end. Tears of joy for Glan Martins, but the same cannot be said for Hyderabad forward Joel Chianese, who is quick to wipe away the outburst of emotions.
PEEEP! PEEEEP! PEEEEEEEP! FULL TIME: FC GOA 0-0 HYDERABAD FC
[90+6'] TIPPED OVER THE BAR! - Hyderabad send in a searching free-kick into the area. Adil Khan attempts to lift it over with a clearing header, but the Goa defender almost loops it into his own net. Excellent reaction from Dheeraj to tip it over the bar in the end. Goa survive again as the corner is also dealt with.
[90+3'] DON GONZALEZ, TAKE A BOW! -Roland Alberg forces an excellent save off Dheeraj and Liston Colaco is waiting to pounce on the rebound. However, Goa defender Ivan Gonzalez slides in and clears it away at the right time to deny a goal. Outstanding from Gonzalez, he is pumped!
[90'] SEVEN MINUTES ADDED ON by the fourth official at the Fatorda. Seven long minutes for Goa, seven very short minutes for Hyderabad.
[89'] HEADER PLANTED OVER! - Edu Bedia whips in an excellent corner and James Donachie attacks it with his head at the far post. The Goa defender is unable to keep his header down though, the ball sails over the cross-bar.
[87'] DOUBLE SENDING OFF, DRAMA! - Hyderabad midfielder Lluis Sastre is given the marching orders from the bench for throwing a bottle in the direction of Goa coach Juan Ferrando. It is all boiling up here and Alberto Noguera, another player subbed off, intervenes. The referee has brandished a second yellow to Nogeura, who will now miss the semi-final if Goa qualify. The sides continue with 11 players since both recipients of red cards were already subbed off.
[85'] SO CLOSE, CAN'T TURN IT IN! - Joao Victor lifts an excellent ball into the area for Hyderabad. Joel Chianese leaps over his marker, but misses the ball by a whisker. Liston Colaco had sneaked in behind, but the Hyderabad winger is unable to turn it in with his outstretched leg. So close, yet so far for Hyderabad. Goa can breathe again.
[82'] CHANGE FOR HYDERABAD: Lluis Sastre OFF, Rohit Danu ON
[75'] DRINKS BREAK: FC Goa 0-0 Hyderabad FC; The deadlock is still on at the Fatorda Stadium. Goa started the second half brightly, but Hyderabad have slowly grown in confidence. However, no clear-cut chances for either side yet. About 15 minutes plus added time remaining now. Can Hyderabad find a goal or will Goa hold on to qualify for the semi-finals? This promises to be a nervy finish.
[71'] CHANGE FOR GOA: Romario Jesuraj OFF, Devendra Murgaokar ON
SUBSTITUTION FOR HYDERABAD: Souvik Chakrabarti OFF, Sahil Tavora ON
[69'] OFFSIDE! - Redeem Tlang attempts to release Igor Angulo with a clever through ball, but the linesman has raised his flag on the far side. Replay suggests the Goa striker might have been onside, tough luck there.
[66'] DOUBLE CHANGE FOR HYDERABAD: Fran Sandaza and Mohammed Yasir OFF, Roland Alberg and Liston Colaco ON
[64'] FOUL, YELLOW CARD! - Hyderabad captain Joao Victor receives a booking from the referee after he blocks Igor Angulo, who attempted to get in behind the defence with a direct run.
The Nizams are unable to make the best use of the resulting corner-kick there. Goa clear it away from trouble.
[59'] CORNER TO HYDERABAD! - Full-back Akash Mishra overlaps on the left flank and attempts to whip in a cross, but Goa winger Romario Jesuraj has tracked back well and blocks it behind for a corner.
[54'] FOUL, YELLOW CARD! - Goa captain Edu Bedia is booked by the referee after a late challenge from behind on Joel Chianese.
[50'] FIRED INTO THE SIDE-NETTING! - Redeem Tlang gets in behind on the left side of the Hyderabad penalty area yet again. The Goa winger attempts to square the ball across goal, but he has fired it into the side-netting instead. Hyderabad firmly on the back foot in the opening exchanges after the interval.
[47'] CROSS FLASHED WIDE! - Goa have come quickly off their blocks here. Redeem Tlang darts inside the penalty area from the left and has flashed his cross just wide of Romario Jesuraj on the far side. The right idea, but lacked the execution.
[46'] PEEEEEP! WE'RE BACK LIVE! - FC Goa get us underway in the second half, the Gaurs are playing from left to right in their bright orange home kit and as things stand, they are on course for booking the last semi-final berth.
Live action coming your way on the other side, stay tuned.
Expect a few changes from the sides in the second half. Hyderabad may introduce Liston Colaco straightaway. Goa also have enough quality on the bench. This game will almost definitely open up sooner rather than later.
Not a lot of goal-mouth action in the first half. Both teams are reluctant to take the handbrake off and it is understandable in such a game. Hyderabad have threatened by getting in behind twice through Mohammed Yasir, but lacked the end product. Goa have been comfortable otherwise, however, they will be prepared for more considering the shackles will come off Hyderabad in the next forty-five.
PEEEEP! PEEEEEEP! HALF TIME: FC GOA 0-0 HYDERABAD FC
[45'] TWO MINUTES ADDED ON by the fourth official at the Fatorda Stadium for injuries and stoppages in the first half.
[40'] FOUL, YELLOW CARD! - Hyderabad midfielder Souvik Chakrabarti has received a booking for a foul. The referee takes his time with the decision and ultimately he feels Souvik should be cautioned.
[39'] GOOD STUFF DHEERAJ! - Mohammed Yasir slipped in behind and caused some problems for Adil Khan there. The Hyderabad winger wriggled past Adil and looked destined to find the back of the net, but Goa shot-stopper Dheeraj reacts quickly to come off his line and smother the attempt.
[33'] FOUL, YELLOW CARD! - The referee has brandished a booking to Goa defender James Donachie after he catches Fran Sandaza with a flailing arm during an aerial duel. Hyderabad whip in the resulting free-kick towards the danger area, but Dheeraj punches it away to safety for Goa.
[31'] DRINKS BREAK: FC Goa 0-0 Hyderabad FC; Slightly cagey affair so far. It is understandable considering what is at stake. However, Hyderabad need to try and win so things will certainly open up as the game progresses.
[30'] ODEI CLEARS IT AWAY! - Clever exchange between Redeem Tlang and Saviour Gama on the left flank. The latter then drills in a low cross for Igor Angulo, but Hyderabad defender Odei Onaindia has read that well and clears it out of play for a throw-in.
[23'] FOUL ON BEDIA! - Goa captain Edu Bedia is clipped from behind by Souvik Chakrabarti and the referee has blown the whistle for a foul straightaway. Free-kick inside their own half for Goa.
[15'] FOUL BY SASTRE! - The Hyderabad midfielder has pulled Redeem Tlang from behind to deny Goa the opportunity to break away quickly on the counter-attack. Referee keeps the cards in his pocket.
[12'] CROSS TOO DEEP! - Patient build-up play by Hyderabad down the left. Akash Mishra feeds it to Halicharan, who releases Souvik Chakrabarti with a clever back-heel pass. The Hyderabad midfielder then attempts to whip in the cross, but his delivery is too deep and flies over Fran Sandaza. Mohammed Yasir brings it down on the far side but Saviour Gama snuffs out danger for Goa by denying him the opportunity to release it again quickly.
[3'] CROSS STEERED AWAY! - Mohammed Yasir gets in behind on the right flank for Hyderabad and races towards the byline before checking back inside the area. The Hyderabad winger then squares it across goal in the hope of finding a teammate, but Ivan Gonzalez gets in the way and clears the ball away from danger for Goa.
[1'] PEEEEEP! WE'RE UNDERWAY WITH JUDGEMENT DAY! - Hyderabad FC kick-off proceedings in the first half, the Nizams are playing from left to right in their blue third kit.
Both sets of players disperse after the national anthem rings out loud amidst eerie silence. Captains Edu Bedia and Joao Victor will now meet at the coin toss following their quick pose for the customary team photo.
Now FC Goa follow their counterparts by walking out onto the hot and humid setting at the Fatorda. The Gaurs are in their bright orange home kit.
Hyderabad FC are the first team walking out of the tunnel, the Nizams are donning their blue third kit for the do-or-die clash this evening.
NOT LONG TO GO! - Under 30 minutes remaining for KICK-OFF at the Fatorda Stadium. Judgement day is finally upon us, can't wait. Super Sunday without the shadow of a doubt.
THE BENCH! - Hyderabad have no shortage of options on the bench with the likes of Liston Colaco, Hitesh Sharma, Roland Alberg and Rohit Danu among others waiting to make an impact.
FORCED CHANGES! - Hyderabad are without the services of two influential players. Chinglensana Singh is suspended after being sent off in the last game while striker Aridane Santana is also unavailable due to accumulation of yellow cards. Souvik Chakrabarti and Fran Sandaza are called into the line-up. Joao Victor might play in the heart of defence alongside Odei Onaindia with Souvik in midfield.
Hyderabad FC XI: Laxmikant Kattimani (GK); Nikhil Poojary, Odei Onaindia, Akash Mishra, Lluis Sastre, Joao Victor, Souvik Chakrabarti, Mohammed Yasir, Halicharan Narzary, Joel Chianese, Fran Sandaza
Subs: Sankar Roy (GK); Nikhil Prabhu, Sahil Panwar, Roland Alberg, Sahil Tavora, Hitesh Sharma, Liston Colaco, Lalawmpuia, Rohit Danu
OPTIONS! - Goa have named the likes of Jorge Ortiz, Ishan Pandita, Princeton Rebello and Devendra Murgaokar among others as substitutes on the bench.
ADIL STARTS! - India international Adil Khan starts against his former club Hyderabad FC. Goa have not made any other changes to the side that beat Bengaluru. As such, Redeem Tlang retains his place after scoring in the last outing. Igor Angulo gets the nod at the top and will be hoping to get on the score sheet again. Seriton Fernandes misses out due to injury.
FC Goa XI: Dheeraj Singh (GK); Adil Khan, James Donachie, Ivan Gonzalez, Saviour Gama, Edu Bedia, Glan Martins, Romario Jesuraj, Alberto Noguera, Redeem Tlang, Igor Angulo
Subs: Naveen Kumar (GK); Sanson Pereira, Aiban Dohling, Mohamed Ali, Jorge Ortiz, Princeton Rebello, Amarjit Singh, Ishan Pandita, Devendra Murgaokar
The TEAM NEWS is set to arrive shortly. We shall chalk out the finer details for you after we receive the confirmed line-ups from both sides.
Hyderabad could've been in a better position if they had not conceded the late equaliser to ATK Mohun Bagan in the last game. However, the Nizams more than held their own with 10-men for the majority of the game against the league leaders. Manolo Marquez will know it is indeed a positive to take and will be urging his players for one last push. It was a painful defeat in the reverse fixture for Hyderabad after Goa scored twice in the last three minutes to snatch a late comeback win. A win tonight would be the ideal payback.
Goa are on a 12-game unbeaten run and it has contributed significantly to their revival. The Gaurs have also won each of their last two outings and are considered to be in their best run of form this term. Juan Ferrando knows a point will help them qualify for the semi-finals, but it is unlikely they will play for a draw. The tools are there for Goa to continue their possession-based ruthless attacking style of play and they are expected to go all in to try and finish third above NorthEast United.
DAY OF RECKONING! - A blockbuster finish to the league phase in the Indian Super League awaits us. FC Goa and Hyderabad FC kick-off the double header Sunday at the Fatorda Stadium. Goa need just a draw to become the last team to qualify for the semi-final, but nothing less than a win would do for Hyderabad. The margin for error is minimal for both teams, quite a lot on the line. FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS!
