(Football news) League leaders Hyderabad FC secure qualification in the semifinals after a hard fought 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Wednesday. The Nizams took the lead in the 28th minute through Bartholomew Ogbeche and Javier Siverio doubled the advantage in the 85th minute to make it 35 points from 18 games. Vincy Barretto scored a consolation goal for Kerala Blasters in stoppage time but it was too little too late for Manjappada and they remained in fifth place with 27 points from 17 outings.

Kerala Blasters replaced Jorge Pereyra Diaz, who was charged with ‘violent conduct’ by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee with Chencho Gyeltshen upfront. With what’s at stake, both sides adopted a cautious approach after kick off with a greater focus on defensive solidity. It was Bartholomew Ogbeche who broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Rohit Danu provided a pinpoint cross and the Nigerian controlled it with a delicate touch followed by a powerful finish to score his 17th goal of the season. 

Kerala Blasters responded to the setback by finding the crossbar from Chencho Gyeltshen’s left footed shot after he was found by Harmanjot Khabra who diverted the ball in his path from Adrian Luna’s corner. The halftime ended with Hyderabad FC leading 1-0 and the second half began with some end to end action as both teams looked for a goal. Chencho squandered a one-on-one opportunity by giving Laxmikant Kattimani enough time to come off his line and close him down. Khabra hit the crossbar and Alvaro Vazquez managed to dodge two defenders but his shot went straight to the goalkeeper. 

Prabhsukhan Gill made a brilliant double save to deny Rohit Danu and Ogbeche from close range. Meanwhile. Kattimani denied Vazquez an opportunity to level the scoring and had another attempt that went over the bar. After many missed opportunities, Hyderabad FC doubled their lead when substitute Siverio headed the ball into the back of the net from Nikhil Poojary’s cross even though Gill managed to get a hand on it. Kerala Blasters managed to pull a goal back in the 90th minute through substitute Barreto but it wasn’t enough to get back into the game.

Hyderabad FC will face Jamshedpur FC in their next Indian Super League match on Tuesday, 1st March at the GMC Athletic Stadium while Kerala Blasters will take on Chennaiyin FC on Saturday, 26th February at the Tilak Maidan.

Also read: AIFF Disciplinary Committee charge Jorge Pereyra Diaz for violent conduct