Two time Indian Super League (ISL) Champions Chennaiyin FC played out a 1-1 draw against Hyderabad FC in their ISL face off at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday. While it was a goalless first half of the match, Chennaiyin's Petar Sliskovic hit the opening goal of the match in the 57th minute to put his team in the lead.
Even though it looked like that Chennaiyin would walk away with a win, in the dying minutes of the match Hyderabad were handed a lifeline when Vafa Hakhamaneshi foulled Siverio inside the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing towards the spot, implying a penaly kick for the Nizams. Bartholomew Ogbeche stepped up to take the penalty for Hyderabad and slotted it past Mitra, ensuring the match ends in a draw.
The Croatian star Sliskovic became the joint top-scorer in the on-going season by scoring his eighth goal but it wasn't enough to help his side seal all 3 points.
Looking to dominate the proceedings, both the sides began with a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, controlling the midfield areas.
However, Chennaiyin looked more impressive amongst the two as they consistently kept taking the ball into the opposition box, piling up the pressure on Hyderabad defenders with their quick combinations and speed.
It was Sliskovic, who broke the deadlock in the third quarter with a blazing header to put Chennaiyin 1-0 ahead in the game from another Aakash Sangwan delivery from the corner.
However, Hyderabad made a comeback just three minutes before the final whistle when Ogbeche struck the equaliser from the spot after Vafa Hakhamaneshi brought down Javier Siverio in the box.
Thomas Brdaric's men will now return home to face ATK Mohun Bagan on January 21 whereas Hyderabad take on East Bengal FC in an away fixture on January 20.
Hyderabad are currentply placyed second at the ISL points table with 32 points from 14 matches. On the other hand, Chennaiyin are 7th with 16 points from 13 matches.
(With inputs from PTI)