Hyderabad FC 2-2 ATK: 3 Reasons why the match ended in a draw | ISL 2019-20

Hyderabad FC and ATK played out an entertaining ISL match at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Saturday but it ended with a frustrating result for both sides as the full-time scoreline read 2-2.

Roy Krishna kept his calm to convert his penalty after the referee adjudged Asish Rai to have handled the ball inside the box, with the replays suggesting otherwise. However, ATK's lead was neutralized in the first half itself after Bobo towered between two defenders to head the ball home via a cross from Nestor Gordillo down the right flank.

Hyderabad FC found themselves ahead in the 85th minute of the game when Bobo again slammed the ball into the back of the net with a majestic header after connecting with Marcelinho's in-swinging cross.

But, the celebrations were cut short five minutes later as Javi Hernandez latched on to a mishit clearance from Kamaljit Singh before laying it on the path of a darting Roy Krishna, who chipped the ball past the 'keeper.

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#3 Scrappy play from both the sides

Hyderabad FC players complain to the referee after he wrongly gives a penalty to ATK

Hyderabad FC and ATK both conceded clumsy fouls in the center of the pitch to stop the other side's attacking display. As a result, the flow of the game got disturbed and neither teams could utilize their plans to full effect.

The referee even cautioned the likes of Giles Barnes, Sumit Rathi and Sehnaj Singh for committing dangerous fouls in needless areas of the pitch. By the end of the game, a total of 33 fouls were conceded by both the teams but the referee dishing out only five yellow cards.

Some of the fouls conceded in vital areas could have resulted in a goal like the one in the 23rd minute when Marcelinho's free-kick hit the arm of Roy Krishna inside the box but the referee didn't pay attention.

Of the 19 fouls given away by ATK, Mandi Sosa Pena and Sehnaj Singh, the two defensive midfielders conceded four fouls each. Adil Khan committed the most number of fouls in the pitch (6) but made 10 tackles too.

Rohit Kumar and Javi Hernandez were the most fouled players having been brought down five teams each.

Roy Krishna.

#2 Hyderabad FC make the most of their ten-day break

Bobo celebrates after scoring a goal for Hyderabad FC in the first half

Hyderabad FC collected only one point after the international break with a draw against Bengaluru FC being the saving grace sandwiched between losses to Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa, and Odisha FC. The ten-day break came at a good time for the Nizams allowing Phil Brown to impose discipline on his side.

Hyderabad FC didn't look as if they were a team that had conceded the most number of goals in the competition. Their composed defense forced ATK to take most of the shots from outside. Of the fourteen shots which the visitors took, only three were from inside the box and two turning out to be the goals.

Nestor Gordillo also proved to be deadly by returning into action after serving his suspension. He showed his worth in the seventh minute of the game when his snapshot at the goal from inside the box bulged the side-netting.

The Spaniard eventually came up with an assist when his cross was connected by Bobo. His substitution surprised many fans as he was the most influential player on the pitch.

#1 Antonio Lopez Habas gets his starting line-up wrong

Prabir Das and Michael Soosairaj were duly missed in the first half.

Edu Garcia and Prabir Das played an important role in their five-goal drubbing of Hyderabad FC in their previous encounter. It was from Prabir's cross from the right flank that Edu Garcia lept above his marker twice to score a brace after coming off the bench.

However, both of them were missing in the starting line-up with Garcia not even finding his name in the bench.

Antonio Lopez Habas played Pritam Kotal in the right-back position after he fielded his side in a 4-4-2 formation. He had a good understanding with Jobby Justin but failed to create much goalmouth action.

Michael Soosairaj was also left on the bench with Sumit Rathi playing in the left-back position. But, he was restricted mainly with his defensive duties.

With the play being scrappy and crowded at the centre of the park, most of the chances were created through the crosses. Hyderabad FC lodged 11 crosses and scored both the goals through them.

ATK, on the other hand, had 14 crosses in the game but failed to score any goal through that route.

Both teams scored twice 👊Both strikers scored twice 💪#HFCATK ended in a stalemate 👍#HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/kHjH1UTzmf

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) December 21, 2019