Delhi Dynamos held the table-toppers Atletico de Kolkata to a 1-1 draw at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Atletico went into the lead following a Jofre Mateu penalty, but Elias volleyed home a beautiful curler to win a point for the visitors.
Delhi Dynamos FC skipper Allessandro Del Piero
The match started in a dramatic fashion. In the 6th minute, Delhi skipper Alessandro Del Piero went down in the penalty box a little too easily for the referee’s liking and was shown a yellow card. However, replays suggested that there was contact and it should have been a penalty.
The first real chance for the hosts came in the 14th minute. Baljit Singh Sahni, following some great play by Fikru, squeezed in a delightful through ball to Luis Garcia only to see Delhi goalkeeper Von Haut come off his line and pounce on it.
Just 5 minutes later, a terrible backpass from Hans Mulder saw Fikru intercept and charge in on the goal but once again Haut saved the shot and denied Kolkata the opening goal.
There was more excitement as the hosts started a counter-attack just before the half-hour mark. Mateu brushed aside his teammate Baljit Singh Sahni and selfishly took a shot instead of passing, just winning a corner for his side.
Only 3 minutes later, Shylo shot a screamer after a pass from Del Piero, but his shot glided off the crossbar for a goal kick. It was evident that Kolkata were missing the suspended Borja Fernandez as their game wasn’t as fluid as the first two games.
Both sides went into the half-time break with a goal-less 0-0 score line.
The second half started and Kolkata didn’t have to wait for the first goal. Just 2 minutes into the second half, Wim Rayemakers pulled Fikru’s shirt and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty after the latter went down. Jofre Mateu sent Von Haut the wrong way to put the hosts into the lead.
Delhi had a great chance to level the score line in the 54th minute but Hans Mulder, after controlling the ball well, shot just over the crossbar.
Kolkata had the chance to double their lead in the 67th minute but the Dynamos goalkeeper saved Mateu’s shot after a great one-two with Masih.
The home team was firmly in control of the second half but Dynamos scored their first goal of the season against the run-of-play. Pavel Elias struck home a stunning volley from 25-yards to make the score 1-1 in the 74th minute.
There was more drama left in the match as Del Piero’s challenge on Franco started a brawl and the referee had to intervene. And Atletico were down to 10-men in the 89th minute after Rakesh Masih was sent off following a second yellow.
No more surprises unfolded in the Salt Lake Stadium as the match ended in a 1-1 draw making it 7 points from 3 matches for Atletico de Kolkata.
Tags: Alessandro Del Piero, Atletico de Kolkata, Delhi Dynamos, Hero Indian Super League, Hero ISL, Indian Football, Indian Super League, ISL, Salt Lake Stadium
