ISL 3: Delhi Dynamos FC drowns Chennaiyin FC 3-1, Mumbai face inform NEUFC

by Chittu Shetty October 7, 2016

Delhi Dynamos opened their ISL 3 campaign with a win, after Marcelinho’s first half brace and a late strike from substitute Badji was enough to take them through over defending champions, Chennaiyin FC

Dynamos started the campaign with a strong start and dominating performance with their pace and guile s Chennai looked out of sorts for most parts of the game.

DDFC coach Zambrotta started a 4-3-3 formation, Chingelsena, Ruben, Anas and Souvik in the defence, Milan Singh, Emerson Gomes and Marcus Tebar held the midfield while Kean lewis, Richard Gadze and Marcelinho held the attack upfront. On the other hand, Chennaiyin had just one change that saw them get a draw at Kolkata, Dudu partnering Jeje in place of David Succi.

The game started brightly for host when minutes in to game Baljit sahni’s strike from outside the box was deflected for corner by a full stretched Delhi keeper Doblas, In the first ten minutes Chennaiyin had some good chances through Mendy and Dudu but failed to put a proper finishing touch.

Gadze scored around 12^th minute after lewis shot was spilled by kerr but it was flagged as offside by the refree although replay’s suggested otherwise. Like Kattimani for FC goa, Kerr almost misplaced a pass to his defender on pressure from onrushing lewis, although the delhi striker failed to keep hold of the ball after managing it to stop it. However in the 26^th minute, Milan Singh was brought down by Kerr inside the Penalty box and Marcelinho stepped up and scored his first goal for Delhi, slotting the ball past Kerr from the resulting Penalty.

The home side responded by a Dudu’s goal after Jeje provided a lofted through ball in the 32th minute, which the striker put it past Doblas, However the celebration didn’t last long as Gadse provide a brilliant through for Marcelnho whose affluent and brilliant finish gave Delhi the lead again. Minutes before vreak, Marcelinho had a brilliant opportunity to make it 3 in the game but failed as his shot went straight to Kerr.

Second half started with an injury for Anas who was replaced by young lalchawnkima. Chennaiyin looked eager to get back into the game but failed to penetrate the Delhi defence despite a good amount of possession. Towards the end, Delhi had brought in their Marquee Malouda and badji for Memo and the excellent gadze, while Chennaiyin had by then already brought in their striking options in Succi, Siam Hangal and Jerry.

Delhi’s substitution played dividend when badji leapt higher then jerry to slot past Kerr, a lewis cross for goal in the 84^th minute to make it 3-1. Chennaiyin had good opportunity around the 90^th minute, when Dudu chested a good long cross inside the box, but failed to cut it back for onrushing Succi as Doblas easily collected it.

Chennaiyin FC 1 (Dudu 32’) – 3 Delhi Dynamos FC (Marcelinho 26’ 34’, Badji 84’)

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Mumbai face inform NEUFC at home

While Mumbai are on the back of a hard fought away victory against Pune City, Highlanders are on the back of two wins in a row against Kerala Blasters and FC Goa at home. Can the visitors keep that form away from home?

The Home team will be hoping that their reserve players could deliver on the occasion as they are right now dependent on their limited option after the absence of Sunil Chhetri, Lalcchuanmawia Fanai, Udanta Singh and Amrinder Singh due to commitments in the AFC Cup with BFC. Now with Haitian winger Sony Norde summoned for national duty Mumbai would miss another key player. Jackichand Singh will be expected to start after playing only seven minutes on the pitch against FC Pune City and partner with Diego Forlan.

After consecutive wins, NEUFC will now face an important test with three games in a row on road. Mailson Alves will be sidelined for the next two weeks from injury and so marquee signing Didier Zokora could be expected to make his first start of the season alongside skipper Gustavo Lazaretti. With two clean sheets in a row, Subroto paul will once again be the man between the sticks as he faces his former club. Rowlin Borges was once again impressive against FC goa while Alfaro will be leading the attack after his brace against Goa helped secure a crucial 3 points. Nicolas Velez could return back into the first eleven after coming in as substitute in the second game.

Northeast seemed have found their selection combination as they have good pool of Indian talent as backup, fact they ended the game against FC Goa with just 5 foreigner answers a lot about their local players strength. Mumbai will be facing the heat as they would set out continue the winning momentum from the first game when they take the field at Mumbai football Arena for the first time.