Gadze's goal cancels Hume's opener, helps Delhi maintain unbeaten run
As the referee blew the half time whistle here at Delhi’s Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium, Indian football’s man of the moment Robin Singh got in to a verbal duel with Augustine Fernandes. Frustration apparent, Robin along with his teammates and the 20000 odd crowd here hadn't quite come expecting what had ensued here. Till now the the Dynamos had managed to remain unbeaten at home and there was brimming belief that with a positive result today, the team would go top of the ISL points table today.
The visiting Atletico De Kolkata team however showed why they lifted the trophy last year and more importantly why it will be futile to dismiss their chances of going the distance this year either. Riding a solitary goal from Iain Hume, the Antonio Habas coached side led 1-0 till the break. The hosts didn't give up though and following an inspired second half substitution equalised through Ghanian prodigy Richard Gadze.
Coaches fiddle with starting XIs
Earlier, much like the previous games, Roberto Carlos once again made a host of changes. Former Club World Cup winner Chicao, last season’s top scorer Gustavo dos Santos and hero from the last game Robin Singh all came in as Sehnaj Singh, Adil Nabi and Richard Gadze were benched. At the opposite end, Atletico too, made 3 changes as Augustin Fernandes, Valdo and Jewel Raja replaced Denzil Franco, Nato and Mohammad Rafique respectively.
First Half
After a drab start to the game, the visitors seized advantage as Gaivilan played in a pass for Anto who crosses into the box. Delhi custodian Doblas, who leads the race to the Golden Glove currently comes off his line to stop the ball but could only manage to feebly play it to Iain Hume. The Canadian netted with a powerful left footer to score his fourth goal this season and hand Atletico the advantage.
The Dynamos did try and bounce back and came tantalisingly close to equalising twice - through Florent Malouda and Robin Singh but Amrinder Singh holds his own to thwart both attempts.
Second Half
Delhi started the second half better and created a host of chances. The pressure finally seemed to pay off around the hour mark as Richard Gadze, who was brought in to replace Gustav dos Santos, collected Malouda’s cross, turned and shot in one motion to beat the outstretched hands of Atletico’s goalkeeper.
The goal seemed to have rejuvenated the Dynamos who drafted in Adil Nabi for Hans Mulder and repeatedly surged ahead. Several half chances later, Gadze found himself in the open but could only hit the woodwork, spilling what possibly was the best chance of the game.
The match thus finished 1-1, extending Delhi’s unbeaten run at home and lifting them to the top of the Hero ISL table, albeit they are placed lower than FC Goa and Punce City FC because of inferior goal difference.