ISL 2023-24: Our hard work made the difference against Mumbai City FC: Hyderabad FC’s Thangboi Singto

Hyderabad FC’s head coach Thangboi Singto feels their hard work made the difference against Mumbai City FC after a 1-1 draw in the Indian Super League at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai on Saturday. The hosts scored after Manoj Mohammed scored his own goal in the 76th minute.

However, Mumbai City FC returned the gift as Tiri scored for the Nizams in injury time. Joe Knowles shot was deflected off Tiri’s body into the goal as both teams shared a point.

Singto was satisfied with the result and expressed his delight at the final result. In fact, the visitors had a golden opportunity to bag all three points as Mumbai City FC were reduced to 10 men after Phurba Lachenpa received a red card early into the game in the seventh minute but they could not capitalize on the advantage.

“Well in football, for the fans and for the public, and football lovers, it’s (would have been) said, (we should have got a victory) playing against ten men. You know why? But we’ve seen umpteen times that playing men against ten is not easy at all. And with a team like Mumbai City FC, former (League Shield) champions and with players all around with technical abilities, it was going to be tough. Well, today I think it would have been heartbreaking if we didn’t garner a point at least because it would have been a fourth loss. But big, big cheers and credit to the players. They dug in, they stuck in, they kept on going and going. We were telling the boys that hard work pays off. And today that made the difference,” he stated in the post-match press conference.

Hyderabad FC dominated the possession with 58% but could only take one shot on target. Singto feels his players need to be more clinical in their finishing.

“We are creating chances definitely in the final third. But again, I think we need to be more clinical in terms of putting the ball in the net. I keep on saying that. We had more than ten shots, but with the way we are sometimes and the one shot we had on target, good shot, that was a goal. I think that should cheer up the boys again. They are professionals I can understand but they know that however much better you play, however much possession you have, if you don’t put the ball in the net, then you don’t win games.”

The 49-year-old concluded with some optimism as he added, “Going forward, we are a bit relaxed. It’s a little breather for us. I know it’s one point for some teams, but for us, hopefully, this is just a stepping (stone) going forward.”

Hyderabad FC will next take on Bengaluru FC at home on Saturday.