Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 champions Hyderabad FC began their Durand Cup campaign with a commanding 2-0 win over local side Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) FC at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Monday. This was TRAU's second successive loss in the tournament.
Halicharan Narzary (27th) and Borja Herrera (52nd) scored for Hyderabad in their Group C fixture.
TRAU, who were coming into this match after a 1-3 loss to local rivals NEROCA in their opening game, started the brighter of the two sides. They controlled possession and looked for openings in the Hyderabad defence. The ISL champions took a while to settle down in the match.
Hyderabad gained confidence as the match wore on and started to create chances before taking the lead in the 27th minute through a quality Halicharan Narzaray strike. It was Spaniard Borja's pressing that forced an error from the TRAU midfield and the loose ball was latched on to by Halicharan, who curled a spectacular shot from a distance into the top right corner.
Hyderabad slowed down the game after the goal but there was a lack of intention from the home side to press for the equaliser. They then took complete control of the proceedings in the second half and continued to play a brand of football similar to the one that took them to the ISL summit in 2022.
The second goal in the 52nd minute was also a screamer, with Borja joining the attack this time around, rightly earning him the Player of the Match award. Mohammed Yasir found him from the right, and the Spaniard took a sublime first touch to produce a left-footed scorcher into the top corner.
Hyderabad continued to maintain total control of the game and created a host of chances but could not convert them. They hit the bar at least twice without luck.
Hyderabad coach Manolo Marquez brought on his regulars for the last half hour which totally shut down the game for TRAU.
