Fateh Hyderabad AFC took out an inconsistent Ozone FC Bengaluru 2-1 in the I-League second division league here on Thursday. The three points gained took Fateh Hyderabad AFC (nine points from five matches) to the top of Group ‘C’, while Ozone FC (seven from five matches) slipped to the third spot.
Both teams have one league match to come. The top two sides qualify to the I-League second division final round.
The visitor took the lead in just the third minute when a fine cross from left-back Manoj Swamy found Nima Tamang inside the box. Tamang did not make the best of contact, but managed to get the ball to loop over the Ozone FC custodian, Nikhil Bernand.
Manoj created Fateh Hyderabad’s second goal as well. His rather innocuous cross was left unattended by the Ozone FC defence and goalkeeper, which allowed Bonison Singh to find the net with a header.
A couple of minutes later, Fateh Hyderabad nearly made it 3-0. Bernard rushed out of the penalty area to make a clearance, prompting Tamang to attempt a long-range shot. The attempt forced a goal-line save by a Ozone FC defender.
Listless
Just before half-time, the home team pulled one back through Anto Xavier. Ozone FC looked largely listless and rusty through the rest of the encounter, and paid the price.
The result:
Fateh Hyderabad AFC 2 (Nima Tamang 3, Bonison Singh 23) bt Ozone FC 1 (Anto Xavier 40).
