Making their entry into the Indian Super League in the 2019-2020 season in place of the now-defunct Pune City FC, Hyderabad FC did not quite have a memorable season, as they finished at the very bottom of the table, securing wins in only two matches.

Being the fourth major team from Southern India – after clubs like Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC and Bengaluru FC made their marks in recent years – as well as the first to represent Hyderabad, the club started the 2019 season with a determinant attitude, but could not contest for the trophy or a top four position.

Also Read | ISL 20-21: Star-studded FC Goa vouching for maiden title

In the current season, however, under coach Manuel ‘Manolo’ Marquez Roca, the Nizams will be eager to leap into the competition with reinvigorated zeal. The Spanish coach brings to the table more than 30 years of experience in professional football and undoubtably will be eager to make his point in the ISL.

 Ahead of the season, several changes have taken place in the club. The arrival of Adriane Santana, for example, is one of the highlights of the transfer season.  Odisha FC’s top scorer last season with nine goals and two assists to his name, Santana will be bolstering the Hyderabad attack in the upcoming season along with Fran Sandanza from the Spanish Segunda division club Alcoron and Joel Chianeze, the Australian winger from the A-league side Perth Glory who will be managing the flanks for HFC.

Apart from the stated names in attack, the club has also brought in midfielder Luis Sastre from AEK Larnaca and defender Odei Onaindia from CD Mirandes.

Also Read | ISL 20-21: Skipper Sunil Chhetri eyes second title with Bengaluru FC

The team also boasts of several recognisable domestic names like Halicharan Narzary, the ever-reliable hands in the box from‘Spiderman’ Subrata Paul, as well as Adil Khan and Lalawmpuia, some of whom are team India regulars.

Despite this, Hyderabad will require caution moving forward as the tournament progresses. The perils in starting off a tournament with an entirely new batch of players includes chances that the partnerships and regular positions as well as substitutions can take some getting adapted to, which might cost HFC a match or two before they come up with a balanced squad. 

Secondly, Hyderabad will be pitted against more experienced clubs with tried and tested ranks, some of whom hold multiple ISL trophies to their name; Chennaiyin FC and ATK Mohun Bagan FC (formerly ATK) for instance. 

Also Read | ISL 20-21: Can new signings propel Odisha FC to playoffs?

While a title-winning finish seems unlikely, with the new names and tactically sound football from the coach, Roca’s men do have the potential to secure the semi-final spot in the upcoming season of the Indian Super League.

Hyderabad FC start their campaign against Odisha FC on November 23 at Bambolim.

Hyderabad FC squad:

Goalkeepers: Subrata Pal, Lalbiakhlua Jongte, Manas Dubey, Laxmikant Kattimani

Defenders: Chinglensana Singh, Souvik Chakrabarti, Dimple Bhagat, Odei Onaindia, Mohammad Yasir, Nikhil Prabhi, Kynsailang Khongsit, Akash Mishra, Sahil Panwar, Ashish Rai

Midfielders: Adil Khan, LLuis Sastre, Sahil Tavora, Laldanmawia Ralte, Hitesh Sharma, Sweden Fernandes, Mark Zothanpuia, Joao Victor

Forwards: Joel Chianese, Aridane Santana, Abhishek Halder, Liston Colaco, Halicharan Narzary, Lalawmpuia, Francisco Sandaza, Rohit Danu, Nikhil Poojari, Ishan Dey