Player ratings: Delhi Dynamos 1-0 Chennaiyin FC
Home team Delhi Dynamos opened their account for the new season defeating Chennaiyin FC through a Chicao penalty early in the first half. The Chennai side was all over the place after trailing in the first half. Coach Materazzi has to find a way to rejuvinate the boys after a disappointing back to back loses.
Whereas Delhi coach Roberto Carlos will be satisfied with his team’s performance today. This home win will be like a breath of fresh air for the Delhi side who had struggled in their previous match.
Here are the player ratings for the match:
Delhi Dynamos
Sanjiban Ghosh- 7/10
The young custodian kept up with his performance in the previous game keeping a clean sheet today. He made a number of super saves. Although struggling with an injury throughout the game, Sanjiban kept playing bravely. Delhi Dynamos have been struggling with goalkeepers and his injury will be a major blow for the team if he is not able to recover before their next match.
Chicao- 6/10
The 34-year old Brazilian took time to adjust. He slotted the penalty calmly to the right of Bete. Chicao made powerful runs in the midfield throughout the match before he was fatigued and had to be replaced.
Anas- 5/10
Anas was one of the poor performers in today’s match. He was nowhere to be seen throughout the game. If it wasn’t for Riise stepping up today, the Delhi defence might have had to face a sterner test.
John Arne Riise- 8/10
Today’s Man of the Match has been instrumental in the centre of defence today. The most capped Norwegian ever, probably has the deadliest left foot. We saw pure class from him as he kept sheilding the defence for the Delhi team.
Souvik Chakroborty- 6/10
Souvik was better today than the last match . He kept moving up on the overlap especially in the first half to support Malouda. The young midfielder has slowly adjusted to his new position. We could see him playing comfortably with more confidence today.
Zodingliana Ralte- 7/10
Aged 20, the young Mizo is the youngest player of today’s match. He won the ball with sheer dedication and committment all through the game. He was very active forming a formidable partnership with the experienced Riise in defence. Standout performance from him indeed
Hans Mulder- 7.5/10
Last year’s stand out performer was one of the few players who was retained by the Dynamos team management this year. He was impressive as the team’s attacking midfielder. It was his shot that was handled by Blasi in Chennai’s box resulting in a penalty.
Florent Malouda- 8/10
The Ex- Chelsea man was again brilliant today. Even at the age of 35, he surely looks to be the catch of the season for the Delhi side. We saw picture perfect touches from him. The battle between him and Elano in the midfield made the match more entertaining.
Shylo Malsawamtulunga- 7.5/10
The experienced campaigner was given a start in the right wing of the team and he surely did not disappoint. Tulunga kept chasing the ball, creating chances for the attacking players. He used the right channel magnificiently with an amazing work rate.
Richard Gadze- 7/10
The young prodigy from Ghana is tipped to be a very promising player going forward in the tournament. He made a number of positive runs, won a number of headers, and made a lot of shots on target which were saved by Chennaiyin keeper Bete in the first half.
Gustavo dos Santos- 8/10
Magical performance from last year’s find for the Delhi Dynamos. Getting a start in today’s game, he kept pressing hard especially through the wings. It was his cross for Maulder which brought the penalty. He was one of the best performers for the Delhi side today
Subs:
Adil Nabi- 6.5/10
The depth of the Delhi Dynamos side is so impressive that a player of the caliber of Nabi had to sit out the entire first half. West Brom’s youth side’s top goal scorer last year tried his best to impact the game, but it was already too late for the team to organise proper attacking moves. He missed a half chance from Tulunga’s beautiful pass right before the end of the match.
Vinicius Ferreria- 5/10
He created a couple of moves for the team although he was not very influential. Coming on in the 67th minute, he tried to work through the left wing. He missed a volley from Adil Nabi’s cross in the dying moments of the match.
Greene
The defender hardly got any time to make any kind of impact on the game.
Chennaiyin FC
Edel Bete- 6/10
He hardly had to do anything in the second half of the match. The experienced keeper guessed the right side during Chica’s penalty but unfortunately was not able to save it. Bete made a number of good saves, especially one from Gadze in the first half.
Potenza- 6.5/10
Potenza was flawless today playing more of a sweeper role playing in the centre of the defense. He was given more responsibility today, and he kept leading his defence efficiently. He made a number of good clearances and covered Gadze really well.
Bernard Mendy- 5/10
Unfit Mendy was a little better today covering Gadtze a couple of times. Other than that he made a lot of mistakes. One of which cost his team a goal when Gadtze over ran him to win the ball in the box. Potenza had to step up to cover him before Gadtze could shoot.
Abhishek Das- 5/10
Abhishek was the poorest performer in today’s game. He was hardly able to handle Malouda and kept fouling him. The young defender missed sitters when he came up on the overlap. He needs to play with more confidence.
Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte- 5/10
The young pick from this year’s auction was very inefficient. He could not keep up his good performance from the last match. It was because of his inefficiency that Chennaiyin’s left side was utilised repeatedly by the Dynamos’ wingers.
Blasi- 5.5/10
Blasi made his ISL debut today playing in central defence. He was responsible for the penalty as Maulder’s shot hit his hand in the box. Other than that he was stern and disciplined in defence. With more time he could have perhaps created a good partnership with Potenza in the Central defence.
Harmanjot Khabra- 6/10
Khabra is one of best utilty players in the country in recent times. His offensive mentality and a never give up attitude has helped to evolve his game in the last few years. He surely played very well in the midfield of Chennai winning hard tackles and challenging almost every single loose ball.
Thoi Singh- 5/10
The young Bengaluru FC defender was very poor today. He kept losing possession in the middle of the park. Singh should have been replaced by a more attacking player since he was struggling.
Elano- 8/10
Elano was instrumental today. Running endlessly throughout the field he was an inspiration for the younger lads in the team. Unfortunately he lacked proper support from fellow players. We saw an intriguing battle between him and Malouda in the midfield.
Mendoza- 6.5/10
The Colombian created a number of half-chances for himself. He could have easily scored if there was more support from the attacking line of Chennai. One of his shots hit the post right before half time. With more luck, he could have made the difference today.
Balwant Singh- 5.5/10
The I-league winning striker was not upto the mark. Although his positioning was brilliant, his influence was very limited. Balwant missed two easy headers from crosses from the wing. In one particular instance, he outjumped experienced Riise to head on goal.
Subs:
Fikru- 5.5/10
The flamboyant striker was nowhere near to his scintillating form of last year. He was not given a start by his coach today but came on right at the end of the match. Fikru tried his best to create more chances but he was unable to break down Delhi’s stern defence.
Bruno Pellisari- 6.5/10
Coming on in the 67th minute, he made instant impact on the game. He took a number of shots on target from long distance which were saved by Sanjiban brilliantly. But again not being an out and out striker, he was unable to penetrate into the striking zone for the Chennai franchise.
Jayesh Rane- 5.5/10
The young Mumbai FC midfielder injected fresh legs into the side. It was because of him that the Chennai side became livelier in the second half, but he was unable to open his account. Rane made a reckless chllenge on Malouda right before the end of the came which could have got him a yellow card.