HYDERABAD: After narrowly missing the playoffs and finishing fifth, Hyderabad FC owner Varun Tripuraneni is looking forward to a better show in the next Indian Super League (ISL) season starting in Goa on November 20.
"We made a quick turnaround in our second ISL season last year," he told a virtual media conference on Tuesday. "Unfortunately, we had to play behind closed doors. This season would be similar in Goa. There are a lot of changes in the squad this time. Overall, we are happy with the way the squad is shaping up and hopeful of another successful season," he said.
The HFC had entered into a partnership with German club Borussia Dortmund (BVB) to develop the grassroots programme two years ago. The interaction was held as part of BVB's 2021 summer virtual tour. The nine-day nine-country tour from July 10 to 18 includes USA, Brazil, Poland, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and China.
BVB MD (Asia-Pacific) Suresh Letchmanan expressed hope that Hyderabad FC would reach playoffs this season. "It's not fair to assess a team's performance after its first season. With players like Bartholomew Ogbeche and Eduardo Garcia in the squad, they would reach playoffs this season," he said.
BVB's Benedikt Scholz promised to bring BVB legends to Hyderabad next season. "Due to the pandemic, there's no pre-season tour this year. But we would love to bring our legends team to Hyderabad next year," he said.
