DELHI: Delhi Dynamos maintained their unbeaten record in the Indian Super League after settling for an entertaining 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, on Saturday.
Delhi Dynamos were lucky to surge ahead after Kean Lewis capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Subrata Paul in the 38th minute but the visitors earned a point through Emiliano Alfaro in the 51st minute.
The draw left NorthEast United FC at the top of the table with 10 points from five matches while Delhi Dynamos have five points from three matches, the same as Atletico de Kolkata.
In a hugely-entertaining clash at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and watched by an impressive crowd, both teams had chances to get the upper-hand early in the game but sadly they were found wanting in front of the goal. The strikers of both the teams saw plenty of chances to move ahead, only to be spurned.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Tebar was the first to go close in the 18th minute for Delhi Dynamos as his free header from Marcelinho’s corner-kick was misdirected from close distance.
A minute later, NorthEast United goalkeeper Paul was called into action twice to keep away tries from Milan Singh and Kean Lewis. Marcelinho then had a chance to finish off the move but only ended up aiming at the sky.
NorthEast United had their chances as well, largely from defensive mistakes. First Ruben Gonzalez gave away the ball to Nicolas Velez and the Argentinean squared it for Alfaro whose shot from handshaking distance was embarrassingly wide. Katsumi Yusa and Velez too went close for the visitors.
Delhi Dynamos got the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Marcelinho’s corner saw goalkeeper Paul completely miss the flight of the ball and the ball fell nicely for Lewis, who controlled it well and directed it into the goal.
NorthEast United fought their way back into the match six minutes after the second half kicked off. Typically, it came from a defensive mistake by Delhi Dynamos after Ruben gave the ball away to Velez. The Argentinean striker, who troubled his markers with pace and swift movements, then picked up Alfaro whose shot was blocked by Delhi defender Chinglensana Singh. However, the rebound fell for Alfaro again and this time he made no mistake to put his team on level terms.
Either team could have walked away with full points had their strikers remained sharp. Immediately after drawing level, Holicharan Narzary shot wide with only the goalkeeper at his mercy and then Gadze had a chance at the other end but Paul came to his side’s rescue by saving the attempt with his knee.
Delhi Dynamos XI: Antonio Doblas (GK – C), Rubén González Rocha, Chinglesana Konsham Singh, Souvik Chakraborty, Lalchhawnkima, Milan Singh, Marcos Tébar (Florent Malouda – 66′), Emerson Gomes de Moura, Kean Lewis, Marcelo Leite Pereira, Richard Gadze (Badara Badji – 90+2′)
NorthEast United FC XI: Subrata Paul (GK), Gustavo Lazzaretti, Shouvik Ghosh, Reagan Singh, Didier Zokora (C), Koffi Christian N’dri (Wellington Priori – 77′), Rowlin Borges, Holicharan Narzary (Fanai Lalrempuia – 86′), Katsumi Yusa, Nicolas Velez (Robert Cullen – 82′), Emiliano Alfaro.
Photo Credits ISL