Feisty encounter between Delhi FC, TRAU ends in a draw
Delhi FC 1 (Balwant Singh 47’)
drew with
TRAU FC 1 (Liton Shil 29’)
SRI BHAINI SAHIB: The town of Sri Bhaini Sahib, Punjab experienced I-League football for the first time when Delhi FC and TRAU FC played out a 1-1 draw at the Namdhari Stadium on Monday, October 30, 2023.
TRAU took the lead against the run of play in the first half through Liton Shil, but Delhi clawed back early in the second half, through veteran forward Balwant Singh.
The first half was one of contradiction, as the home side, Delhi FC, who are playing from Sri Bhaini Sahib this season, created most of the chances in the first 45 minutes, but it was TRAU FC, who took the lead into the tunnel.
Delhi began the game with a high tempo as they looked to play off the shoulders of Brazilian forward Hudson Dias. Their seasoned campaigner and former I-League winner with Mohun Bagan, Balwant Singh, was playing in a role that was much different from what he was used to earlier in his career. The 36-year-old was seemed to have a free role, floating across the lines to link up with his teammates.
Delhi winger Hirata looked lively on the right, and created a few chances, as he looked to drive with the ball into the TRAU box. Girik Khosla had a few close shaves from set-piece situations for Delhi, but the attacker was unable to trouble the TRAU defenders.
It took TRAU some time to get used to the pace of the game, and they soon found their feet after weathering the early storm. Deepak Singh looked on form from the right flank, and a pin-point cross by him was sent wide by Liton Shil, who attempted a rather audacious back volley.
Shil eventually handed the lead to the Red Pythons, when he produced a glancing header off a free-kick by Abraham Okyere in the 29th minute. That goal gave more confidence to TRAU, who started to keep more possession.
The momentum changed again in at the start of the second half, when Delhi head coach Yan Law brought on Arnoldinho in place of Himanshu Jangra, a substitution that immediately worked wonders for the home side, after the half-time break.
Just minutes after the breather, Arnoldinho sent in a cross from the left, as Balwant leapt high to nod the ball in.
Delhi could have taken the lead for the first time, around the hour mark, when Bhupender Singh sent a long one into the box, as Balwant slid in to send the ball goalwards, but it struck TRAU keeper Mithun Samanta’s leg, before trickling agonisingly close to the goal line, and out of play.
Abraham Okyere created a golden opportunity to hand the three points to TRAU in injury time, as he produced some quick feet inside the Delhi box and managed to get a shot away, but it was a rather weak effort, and was collected by Delhi keeper Pawan Kumar.
Also Read: MYJ and GMSC merge to form MYJ-GMSC, all set to dominate Mumbai Premier League
Also Read: Debutants Delhi FC cautiously optimistic on eve of opening tie
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…