In a nutshell, the match against Chennaiyin FC mimicked Delhi Dynamos’ season so far — short of ideas, bereft of any creativity and uni-dimensional in the first half only to turn it around remarkably well in the second.
The 2-2 draw on Tuesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium was earned following goals from Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero, through a superbly taken free-kick, and captain Hans Mulder, courtesy a powerful drive from outside the penalty area.
Dynamos could have won the match and ensured a semifinal spot on its own if Gustavo dos Santos’ curler from the right flank in stoppage time had not hit the post and instead pulled a couple of inches inside.
Dynamos started the match with perhaps its best line-up — a 4-3-3 with Mads Junker, Francisco Fernandez and dos Santos forming the front three. It promised an entertaining fare, especially with Chennai handing a debut for its latest import Alessandro Nesta, the Italian World Cup winner, at the heart of the defence.
The first goal was as freakish as it gets. In the 16th minute, Dynamos’ 6’10” goalkeeper, Kristof van Hout, was beaten when a corner kick from Bruno Pelissari went straight in. Seven minutes later, an injured Junker made way for Del Piero.
The Italian has failed to get an extended run this season and this was probably his best chance. He came into his own in the second half after he scored off a set-piece. But, before that Chennai executed what was the move of the match.
On 28 minutes Balwant Singh delivered a diagonal through ball from the left for Harmanjot Khabra — who was outstanding throughout — to whip a first-time cross from the right which was guided into the goal by Jeje Lalpekhlua.
In the second half, however, Chennai’s defence fell apart. It also coincided with Nesta being substituted to give Gouramangi Singh, who was returning from an injury lay-off, some game time. Till then, the Italian was barking instructions and helping the team keep its shape.
After Del Piero’s goal, player-manager Marco Materazzi had to bring himself on to give his side some direction in the face of some spirited attacks from Dynamos’ front-line which was primarily built on the shoulders of Henrique Dinis and Morten Skoubo playing behind.
Chennai’s finishing also left much to be desired with Balwant, in particular, wasteful.
The result:
Chennaiyin FC 2 (Pelissari 16, Jeje 28) drew with Delhi Dynamos 2 (Del Piero 53, Mulder 88).
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/draw-keeps-dynamos-hopes-alive-only-just/article6677779.ece
No comments:
Post a Comment