ISL 3: Six Goal thriller ends in a point each for Mumbai and Delhi

by Chittu Shetty October 19, 2016

Delhi Dynamos and Mumbai City FC played one of the best games of this season of ISL, as the six goal thriller ended in both the sides sharing the points

After being criticized that the teams have been playing a very guarded games and that this season lack of goals in the matches has been the reason for disappointing season, Delhi and Mumbai came up with an entertaining goals galore of a game, in a high octane 3-3 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday.

After Mumbai raced to a 2-0 lead in the first half through Vadocz’ brace, Richard Gadze reduced the margin by pulling one back for Delhi early in the second half, but Sony Norde’s 69th minute goal restored the two-goal lead before goals from Badara Badji and Marcelinho’s spot kick ensured a point for home side..

Delhi made four changes with Malouda starting the game in place of Marcos Tebar. Ruben Rocha and Lalchawnkima were replaced by Ibrahima Niasse and David Addy, while new Goalkeeper Soram Angamba came in for injured Toni Doblas. Zambrotta started with a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Mumbai made three changes to the side that lost 1-0 away to Kerala Blasters, with Pronay Halder, returning from suspension, L Ralte and Norde coming in for David Lalrinmuana, Fulganco Cardozo and Boithang Haokip.

Mumbai started attacking from the word go, as the first shot for the away side came within the first 40 seconds of the start. Delhi too started attacking early but failed at the final third. In the 9^th minute, Malouda found Addy in space, whose shot was straight at the keeper. On the other hand, Mumbai too had their chances but failed to capitalize, Defederico getting flagged offside twice with the ball on his feet.

Malouda soon had a chance from inside the box but his mishit of half volley sent the ball into the side netting. Aroud the 20^th minute, Anwar Ali’s corner was cleared but the ball fell to Norde just outside the box, But the haitian’s shot went out off a Mumbai shirt.

In the very next minute, Marcelinho with a through ball from Milan Singh beat Aiborlang Khongjee for pace and found himself in a one-on-one position with just keeper to beat but ended up shooting wide.

Finally, in the 32^nd minute, Leo Costa’s brilliant ball through the Delhi back line found Vadocz, who calmly slotted it past Soram as Mumbai took the lead.

In the 37^th minute, Norde was fouled just outside the box by Niasse, entering the referee’s book. The resulting free-kick from Norde hit the cross-bar and the rebound was headed in to the goal by Vadocz again, giving the Delhi custodian Soram no chance.

The Half time score read 2-0 in favour of the away side as the teams entered the tunnel.

With their first defeat looming overhead, the Lions coach Zambrotta made a surprised defensive change bringing Rupert Nongrum in place of winger Kean Lewis to neutralize Sony Norde’s threat. Mumbai’s plan of attacking vigorously had worked well as Delhi were caught off guard and failed to make decisive impact at the away post. With just 4 shots over all and zero on target, compared 9 by Mumbai and 5 on target, defensive substitute looked a step back.

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Mumbai’s relentless attack backfired early in the second half as the defence were caught napping when Marcelinho from the wing cut backed the ball for the onrushing Gadze, who smashed it behind Roberto Volpato’s net.

Mumbai were back in with a two goal advantage in the 69th minute, a quick one-two with the Alves put Norde through as he calmly placed the ball in Soram’s near post who failed to come off his line to intercept the lofted ball from Alves for Norde.

Two goals down, Delhi began pressing hard and around the 76^th minute, substitute Badji reduced the difference to one when after being played on by Malouda shot the ball past the onrushing Mumbai custodian and although the diving Goian tried his best to stop the ball, the ball crossed the line making it 3-2.

Guimaraes looking to boost his defence to keep the one goal lead intact, subbed off the impressive Norde for Gerson. But with last ten minutes left, Delhi kept on pushing forward and won a penalty in the 81^st minute much to the shock of away side, when Gadze went down inside the box after being challenged by Gerson although it seemed unclear in the replays.

Marcelinho stepped up to take the spot-kick and buried it past Volpato, who despite judging right couldn’t keep the ball away as the scores were leveled.

With five minutes of play left, Mumbai almost scored their fourth goal, when the hardworking Defederico’s shot came off the far post much to the disappointment of the away side.

The match ended at 3-3 with Mumbai despite having nine shots on target to that of Delhi’s three failed to take all three points.

Delhi Dynamos 3 (Gadze 51’, Badji 76’, Marcelinho 82’) – 3 Mumbai City FC (Vadocz 33’, 38’, Norde 69’)