Hyderabad FC opens their Hero Super Cup 2023 campaign in the group stages with the first game against I-League side Aizawl FC at the Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri.
HFC vs AFC Match Details
Date: Sunday, 9 April 2023
Time: 17:00 (IST)
Venue: Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
HFC vs AFC Viewing Details
The match between Hyderabad FC vs Aizawl FC in Hero Super Cup 2023 will be telecasted on Sony Sports Ten 2 channel and will be live-streamed on FanCode.
HFC vs AFC Match Preview
Hyderabad FC reached the semifinals of the ISL for a consecutive season after finishing second in the league phase but failed to force themselves to another appearance in the final. They face ATK Mohun Bagan once again at this stage, however, unlike the previous year, they failed to find the net. The aggregate score over two legs remained 0-0 and the Nizams went out 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic shootout. The 2021/22 ISL champions lost their title defense as the Green and Maroons went on to lift the trophy in the final in Goa defeating Bengaluru FC in the same way with the score tied 2-2 after extra-time. Nevertheless, it was a part of the progress Hyderabad FC has made over the last two seasons and will like to add to it by winning the Hero Super Cup 2023 which will land them a chance to be in the group stages of the AFC Cup. Hyderabad FC are paired with fellow ISL sides Odisha FC and East Bengal alongside I-League team Aizawl FC in Group B of the competition. It is with the latter that they begin the journey in the Super Cup, now their star striker Bartholomew Ogbeche is fully fit to impact the game as he likes to. Hyderabad FC’s inspiring head coach Manolo Marquez will also leave the club at the end of the season so the team is willing to give him one last prize although the Nizams will face ATK Mohun Bagan yet again if neither side are able to win the Super Cup to fight for a place in the qualifiers of the AFC Cup group stage.
Like most other sides from the I-League apart from the champions RoundGlass Punjab FC, Aizawl FC began in the second qualifying round to enter the group stages of the Hero Super Cup 2023. They beat rivals TRAU FC 1-0 in the northeast derby with Ivan Veras scoring the only goal in the 64th minute of the game. The Mizoram-based side finished seventh in the I-League while their opposition in the game ended in third so the victory comes as a morale-boosting one for them. It also ended the side’s winless run over the last seven games while they are now unbeaten in their last four games. Aizawl FC know they are no easy opposition in this tournament from now on and placed with Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC and East Bengal in Group B proved it. Facing the three ISL sides beginning with the game against the 2021/22 ISL champions will be a tough job for the team that collected only 26 points from 22 matches in the I-League. Still, Aizawl FC will approach the games in high spirits as they will play without pressure or expectations to move into the knockouts. They have nothing to lose and will make it harder for the opponents to break them also carrying the counter-attacking threat to trouble them.
Recent Form (all competitions)
HFC: DDWLW
AFC: WDDDL
Predicted Lineups
HFC: Gurmeet Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Odei Onaindia, Chinglensana Singh, Akash Mishra; Sahil Tavora, Borja Herrera; Mohammad Yasir, Joel Chianese, Halicharan Narzary; Bartholomew Ogbeche
AFC: Vanlalhriatpuia; Lalbiakzuala, Emmanuel Makinde, Akito Saito, Lalmalsawma; Augustine Lalrochana, Lalrinfela, Lalramsanga, Eisuke Mohri; David Lalhlansanga, Ivan Veras
HFC vs AFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Gurmeet (7.5)
DEF: Poojary (8), Lalrochana (8.5), Makinde (8), Mishra (8.5)
MID: Yasir (8.5), Lalramsanga (8.5), Narzary (8.5)
FW: Herrera (9), Ogbeche (9), Veras (9)
Vice-captain: Mohammad Yasir
Captain: Bartholomew Ogbeche
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
