ISL 2020-21: Bengaluru blow two-goal lead to draw vs Hyderabad

Deepak Malik/ Sportzpics for ISL

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Late goals from Aridane (86') Francesco Sandaza (90'+1') helped Hyderabad FC come back from two goals down and earn a point with a 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League on Thursday. BFC had taken the lead through Sunil Chhetri in the 9th minute, before doubling it in the 61st through Leon Augustine, making his full ISL debut for the club.

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Hyderabad remain fourth in the table with 19 points while the draw means BFC are now winless in eight games and seventh in the table with 15 points. Hyderabad next face Chennaiyin on January 31 while BFC go up against SC East Bengal on February 2.

Interim coach Naushad Moosa handed a first start to Augustine while Harmanjot Khabra returned to the starting XI. For Hyderabad, Manuel Marquez started with Liston Colaco and Joao Victor.

Bengaluru suffered an early blow and were forced into an early substitution after Juanan pulled his hamstring in the fifth minute. The Spaniard was replaced by Parag Srivas.

Moosa's side got their noses in front from a set-piece when Cleiton Silva whipped in a precise delivery into the box. Chhetri lost his marker and jumped above the rest to find the back of the net.

Hyderabad were doing everything right except in the final third. Akash Mishra executed a one-two pass with Halicharan Narzary and the left-back crossed into the box, but none of his teammates could get on the end of it.

Hyderabad were much livelier after the restart and created a decent chance from a corner. However, Santana couldn't keep his composure, directing Hitesh Sharma's corner into the frame. Santana had another chance soon, but was thwarted by Bengaluru keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Then, a defensive lapse saw Hyderabad fall further behind as Hitesh Sharma misplaced a pass and Augustine darted into the box and shot with the outside of his right foot to beat the onrushing Laxmikant Kattimani.

Hyderabad, who dominated the game in terms of possession and passing, finally pulled a goal back in the 86th minute from a counter-attack. Rohit Danu put in a brilliant cross into the box from the right flank and the ball took a slight touch of Srivas and reached Santana, who tapped in past the BFC keeper.

With just a few minutes left, Hyderabad went all out and had their reward. Roland Alberg miscued a shot from outside the box, which fell to Sandaza. The Spaniard took a touch before smashing past Gurpreet for the equaliser.

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