Hyderabad keep hopes of ISL playoffs alive after beating Chennaiyin

Vasco (Goa), Jan 31: Hyderabad FC did their chances of making the Indian Super League playoffs a world of good with a 2-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium here on Sunday.
Goals from Fran Sandaza (28th minute) and Joel Chianese (82) were enough to secure all three points for the Nizams and propel them to third place on the table.
Hyderabad made their intentions clear right from the start, winning a corner in just the fifth minute. The promising Asish Rai, who has enjoyed a break-through season, was the architect of the move, sprinting into the Chennaiyin box and finding Mohammed Yasir. After the latter’s cross was put behind for a corner, Rai got another chance but sent his cross over.
Hyderabad kept attacking in the first quarter and they got their reward just before the half-hour mark when Sandaza broke the deadlock. After receiving the ball from a throw-in, the Spaniard found Joao Victor, who returned the favour with an excellent through ball. Sandaza was still under pressure from Deepak Tangri but shook off the defender by shifting the ball onto his other foot and slotting it into the back of the net.
Chennaiyin had a period of possession after the goal but poor passing in the final third meant nothing came of it. As the first half came to a close, Sandaza’s goal was the only shot on target from either team.
Chennaiyin came out of the half-time break with a couple of changes — Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev and Edwin Vanspaul came on for Germanpreet Singh and Thoi Singh — and the move looked to have paid off immediate dividends. Eli Sabia came up all the way from defence and found himself with a direct sight on goal. His powerful shot from outside the box looked to be going in, but instead struck the crossbar and bounced away.