ISL 2017/18, Match 47: Delhi Dynamos FC vs Bengaluru FC, Player Ratings
Delhi Dynamos faced off against Bengaluru FC in the first match of a Sunday double header at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
Bengaluru FC are placed second in the ISL standings, with a total of 18 points from nine matches played. Meanwhile, the home side is struggling at the bottom of the table with just four points from nine matches.
Delhi Dynamos pulled off a major upset as they defeated a high-flying Bengaluru FC in a convincing and disciplined performance. They managed to shut down the famed Bengaluru FC attack and came away with the three points courtesy their industrious performance. Lallianzuala Chhangte and Guyon Fernandez got their names on the scoresheet as they won 2-0 at the JLN Stadium in Delhi.
Delhi Dynamos FC
Arnab Das Sharma (7) - The Delhi custodian was a quiet customer on the night as Delhi kept Bengaluru FC in check for the most part of the match. He pulled off an incredible save when he parried away Alwyn George's effort to maintain the lead for the Dynamos.
Gabriel Cichero (7.5) - The returning centre-back was a rock in the Delhi defence as he dealt with the threat of the famed Bengaluru attack and manned the defence line. Cichero kept the usually threatening Bengaluru FC forward Miku in his pocket for the most part of the match.
Edu Moya (7.5) - The other central defender played the perfect partner to Cichero in the defence as they kept the Bengaluru FC attack out with their disciplined and industrious performance.
Pritam Kotal (8) - The Indian right-back was superb tonight for Dynamos on the right flank in both attack and defence. He managed to nullify the threat of Sunil Chhetri on the wings and kept running up and down the flanks. He provided assist for Chhangte's goal.
Paulinho Dias (7) - The Brazilian creative midfielder was busy in the central midfield as he kept looking for the runs by the Delhi attackers. He moved the ball well around on the pitch and also helped out in the defence whenever called upon.
Vinit Rai (7) - The defensive midfield for the home side was at his best tonight as Rai played in front of the Dynamos defence. He broke up a lot of Bengaluru attacks and distributed the ball well across the field.
Nandhakumar Sekar (7.5) - The young Indian left-back was active on both ends of the park as he made marauding runs down the left flank and did well alongside Chhangte to keep Bengaluru right-back Harmanjot Khabra occupied throughout the match.
Jeroen Lumu (7) - Lumu was perhaps the only Delhi attacker who was fairly quiet on the night but he played his part well. He operated in the central midfield and moved the ball around well. Lumu even came close on one occasion to scoring but much to his frustration pulled the effort wide after going one-on-one against Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Lallianzuala Chhangte (8.5) - The dynamic midfielder was a constant threat for the Bengaluru side with his attacking play through the middle and left. He combined well with Romeo and Nandhakumar on the left to launch attacks on the Bengaluru goal. He was also on setpiece duty and put in good corners and crosses as well. Chhangte gave Delhi the lead when he found himself at the end of a pass in the box and slid it underneath Gurpreet.
Romeo Fernandes (8) - The former FC Goa man was incredibly effective tonight as Delhi stepped up the pressure on Bengaluru FC. Romeo played behind Uche in the attack and was constantly making good runs into the box and even had a close shot at the goal but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu parried it away to safety.
Kalu Uche (7.5) - The Delhi skipper was a force to reckon with in the attack as he kept the Bengaluru defence on their toes. Uche made a lot of runs behind the defence and had a couple of shots at the Bengaluru goal as well.
Substitutes:
Guyon Fernandez (6) - Fernandez came on as a substitute for Uche and repaid his coach's faith when he earned and scored a penalty at the death to put the home side 2-0 up.
Timothy Lugun (4.5) - The former Mumbai FC left-back replaced Nandhakumar Sekar in the left-back position for the final five minutes of the match.
David Ngaihte (4.5) - David Ngaihte came on for the final two minutes of the added time as Delhi coach tried to run the clock down.