New Delhi: A first-half goal from Iain Hume was cancelled out by Richard Gadze in the second period as Delhi Dynamos escaped with a 1-1 draw against Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) in Saturday's Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
Atletico de Kolkata were the better side in the first half and despite Delhi keeping majority of possession, ATK looked more deadly during the counter, and once they took the lead, the hosts really struggled. Delhi perked up when Gadze replaced Dos Santos and they could have won the match, but off the line clearances came to ATK's rescue in the second period.
This is Delhi's third consecutive 1-1 draw and they remain third in the points table. ATK, on the other hand, remain fourth - trailing Delhi by just one point.
Delhi Dynamos made three changes to their playing eleven with Chicao, Gustavo Marmeniti and Robin Singh coming in for Sehnaj Singh, Adil Nabi and Richard Gadze. Meanwhile the visiting manager, Antonio Habas, chose to include Augustin Fernandes, Valdo and Jewel Raja in place of Denzil Franco, Nato and Mohammad Rafique.
The entire stadium observed a minute's silence for the victims of the Paris attacks before Atletico de Kolkata kick-started the proceedings and were positive from the word go. They had the first shot on the goal in the very first minute with Borja Fernandez taking strike from outside the box which was deflected by Anas Edathodika into the hands of Delhi's goalie.
Soon after Delhi got hold of the proceedings, they had majority of the possession. Brazilian Santos tried to wriggle his way into the box from the left in the fifth minute but Kolkata defenders were up to the task. The home team had another decent chance in the ninth minute to open the scoring after Ralte Adinga crossed a brilliant ball from the left flank towards Robin Singh in the box but ATK goalie Amrinder caught the ball before the striker could head the ball in.
Soon Kolkata had a decent chance to get an early lead with Iain Hume having a go but only to be denied by Anas, whose block was enough to keep the score level. ATK had decent penalty appeals denied in a matter of seconds after Santos brought down Sameegh inside the box. The ball fell to Gaivilan whose shot was blocked by Mulder's hand and the referee again waved 'play on'.
With the match happening at a lively pace, Hume gave Kolkata the lead in the 25th minute after Antonio Doblas failed to clear Anto's cross. His clearance fell straight at Hume's feet who finished it beautifully. Within seconds the Spanish goalie was tested again but this time he made a stunning save to deny ATK their second goal.
Delhi had a brilliant opportunity to level things in the 37th minute with Malouda getting on the end of a long pass at the far post but ATK goalie made himself big to distract the Frenchman as his shot lacked strength and in the end was cleared easily by the defender off the line. Kolkata went into half-time with the deserving 1-0 lead.
Delhi, despite having majority of possession once again, lacked that final ball and remained poor in front of goal. ATK were happy to let Delhi keep the possession and were brilliant on the counter.
When it was looking that Delhi might lose their first match at home - substitute Gadze scored a brilliant one in the 60th minute to level the things for the home team. Suddenly after the equalizer it was an end-to-end stuff once again.
Delhi then had two brilliant chances to take the lead but post and the goalie came to the rescue of away team. On the first occasion Gadze's shot from inside the box came off the far post. And a minute later Robin's header was cleared off the line.
Gadze then had the ball in the back of the net in the 89th minute only to be flagged offside. While ATK the better team in the first half, Delhi were far better and improved in the second period.
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