I-League 2nd Division 2018 : Kerala Blasters defeat Fateh Hyderabad, Delhi Dynamos pip Delhi United
The I-League 2nd Division is at its crucial juncture with only a few rounds to go, all the teams irrespective of having any chance of advancing to the next round have been at their best. Delhi Dynamos Reserves edged past Delhi United in the 'Delhi Derby' 0-1 while down south Kerala Blasters Reserves registered a healthy 4-2 win over Fateh Hyderabad.
Sportskeeda looks at both the encounters in brief :
MATCH 1: Delhi United 0-1 Delhi Dynamos
In what was just the second win of the season for the Delhi Dynamos Reserve side, the Lions dominated the proceedings over their City Rivals Delhi United to register a slender 1-0 win on Thursday in the Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi.
In contrast, Delhi United despite having a better record in the competition looked pretty incompetent in today's game.
Delhi Dynamos got closest to scoring in the initial stages of the match as Uma Shankar's perfectly weighted ball found Mayank through on goal but his shot was brilliantly saved by United custodian Royal Basumatary.
United had a chance to score one of their own five minutes later but Dynamos custodian Mohit Dhayal did brilliantly to deny Konan.
Dynamos finally were rewarded for their constant pressing as Manchong's electrifying belter from 25 yards out flew past a hapless Royal Basumatary, thus giving Delhi Dynamos the lead.
In the second half too, Delhi Dynamos looked the better side as they went on playing positive football looking to double the lead but the United defence held on.
With this slender 0-1 win, Delhi Dynamos Reserves are at 5th Position with 8 points from 9 games while Delhi United are at 4th Position with 8 points from 9 games as well but stay above their City Rivals by the virtue of a better goal difference.
Delhi United play their final game of the season at the same venue with Hindustan FC on May 13 who are battling for qualification to the next round. Delhi Dynamos now travel to Srinagar to lock horns with Lonestar Kashmir FC on May 13 as well in the final game of the season.
MATCH 2: Fateh Hyderabad 2-4 Kerala Blasters Reserves
Kerala Blasters Reserves did a double over Fateh Hyderabad on Thursday at the Anantapur RDT Stadium in Hyderabad with a 2-4 win. This is the sixth win for Blasters in the nine games so far. What's interesting is Fateh Hyderabad has only lost to Kerala based sides this season. They earlier suffered a 2-3 and 1-2 loss to Kerala Blasters and FC Kerala respectively.
Kerala Blasters were quickly onto their strides as they went 3-0 up in the first half with goals from Shaiborlang Kharpan (14'), Sahal Abdul Samad (42') and Suraj Rawat (45+2').
Shaiborlang Kharpan scored his second of the day in the 75th minute to put the Blasters 4-0 ahead.
Fateh Hyderabad picked themselves up in the final third and were able to eke out two goals back with Hitova Ayemi (78') and Lalliansanga (90+6') scoring.
Kerala Blasters Reserves now travel to Bengaluru to lock horns with Ozone FC Bengaluru on May 13 who are eyeing qualification to the next round. Fateh Hyderabad will travel back to Hyderabad to host FC Kerala on May 13 who are eyeing qualification to the next round as well. Two extremely crucial games up next!