Ogbeche stars in Hyderabad FC’s rally to victory over Chennaiyin

Halder scores the winner for Jamshedpur against Holder Goa

Frenchman Bartholomew Ogbeche scored a brace as Hyderabad rallied to beat a 10-man Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in an entertaining Group C match of the Durand Cup football tournament at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Friday.

Captain Anirudh Thapa gave Chennaiyin the lead in the 43 rd minute before his opposite number Joao Bruno converted a penalty to equalise in the 56 th minute. Ogbeche shot home in the 65 th and 74 th minutes to ensure his team’s second consecutive victory.

Following a cautious start by both teams, Chennaiyin grabbed the lead through a spectacular goal close to half-time.

Sajal Bag sent in a long aerial ball and Thapa, strongly challenged by a defender, brought it down on the run before slotting it in despite being off-balance.

Hyderabad drew parity early in the second half. Javier Siverio’s header off an Akash Mishra cross fetched a penalty as defender Fallou Diagne was sent off for a debatable handball decision. Bruno beat ‘keeper Debjit Majumder on the right with a fast grounder.

Controlling the pace, Hyderabad got the lead when Mohammed Yasir sent in a precise cross into the area and Ogbeche headed it in.

The Indian Super League champion extended its lead as Chhangte, positioned unchallenged inside the box, passed the ball back and Ogbeche jumped to execute another successful header.