JOIN USDynamos rise to second spot
Delhi Dynamos treated home fans to a dominating 3-1 victory over FC Pune City in the Indian Super League match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday.
With the win, Dynamos not only snapped out of their hat-trick of drawn matches but also maintained their unbeaten run on the home stretch. Their three goals have helped them dislodge Pune from the second place and level the points with table toppers FC Goa at 18. Pune, whose poor record on road continued, have slumped to fourth place in the table with 15 points.
Dynamos were propped by two goals by half time through Adil Nabi (36th minute) and Anas Edathodika (40th) and added the third late in the second half with a penalty goal by John Riise (87th). Pune’s Adrian Muttu (90+3) pulled one back for Pune in dying minutes but it was too little and too late.
Dynamos, under-fire for their scoring abilities, opened their account when Florent Malouda’s corner was flicked by Robin for Nabi at the far post. Nabi bundled it into the net to score his first goal of ISL. Dynamos doubled their lead within four minutes. Pune’s defence was caught unaware when Malouda's corner was headed home by Anas at the stroke of half time.
With 2-0 lead in their pocket at half time, Dynamos entered the second period bustling with confidence while Pune desperately looked for ways to find a breakthrough. They didn’t succeed with Dynamos’ backline putting up a robust show. Dynamos were later rewarded with a penalty when Zodingliana Ralte was fouled by Govin Singh. That was his second booking which prompted a send-off for Pune defender. Riise calmly slotted it in, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
With the win already beyond Pune, Mutu scored a consolation goal through a free-kick. Dynamos goalkeeper Toni Doblas got a touch but the ball found the back of the net.
Mumbai to face NUFC
On Friday, NorthEast United FC and Mumbai City FC both will be craving for a win when they face off in an Indian Super League (ISL) football match at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
Hosts NorthEast United will also look to avenge their first-leg loss against Mumbai, when they went down 1-5 on October 28.
Mumbai currently stand on the sixth spot with 12 points from 10 games — won three, drawn three and lost four.
NorthEast also come into the match after 1-4 loss to Delhi Dynamos and are placed one place ahead on the points table in the fifth spot with 13 points from 10 games — won four, drawn one and lost five.
Points table
Team p w D L GD P
FC Goa 10 5 3 2 8 18
Delhi 10 5 3 2 2 18
Kolkata 11 5 2 4 3 17
FC Pune City 11 4 3 4 -1 15
NorthEast 10 4 1 5 -7 13
Mumbai 10 3 3 4 -6 12
Kerala 10 3 2 5 2 11
Chennaiyin 10 3 1 6 -1 10
Note: P: Played, W: Win, D: Draw, L: Loss, P: Points, GD: Goal Difference