After a string of disappointing results, Delhi Dynamos FC finally registered their second victory in the ongoing Hero Indian Super League when they
pipped hosts NorthEast United FC 2-1 in a keenly-contested match in Guwahati on Monday.
The match witnessed full of exciting moments but it was the home team that wasted innumerable scoring chances much to the disappointment of the packed Indira Gandhi Stadium.
Delhi rode on first half goals from Gustavo dos Santos (6th minute) and skipper Hans Mulder (14th) to eke out the win, while NorthEast United's lone goal came in the 80th minute through Kondwani Mtonga.
The match was full of action as both the teams were reduced to men. The visitors were forced to play the second half with 10 players after Delhi Dynamos FC's midfielder Shouvik Ghosh was shown second yellow card during additional time of the first half.
NorthEast United too was reduced to 10 men when defender Aiborlang Khongjee also received second yellow card in the 83rd minute.
The Dynamos started on a bright note as mounted pressure on the opposition goal from the onset. Soon after midfielder Shylo Malsawmtluanga wasted a good chance Dos Santos scored a blinder to give Dynamos the lead .
Dos Santos scored with a superb strike from just outside the box after receiving a a nice pass from Francis. Five minutes later, NorthEast United came tentalisingly close to a equaliser when Koke's shot struck the right pole and went for a goal kick.
The visitors then consolidated their lead in the 14th minute through Mulder, who drilled the ball across the far post from edge of the box after receiving a pass from Dos Santos.
Trailing by two goals, NorthEast United adopted an attacking approach in the second half and created numerous scoring opportunities but failed to convert them. It took 80 minutes for the hosts to find the back of the net when Mtonga headed home from a perfect corner kick to keep NorthEast United alive.
Three minutes later, Isaac Chansa came close to scoring the equaliser for the hosts but superb strike from outside the box was kept away by the lanky Dynamos keeper Kristof Van Hout.
NorthEast United had some good attempts on goal in the final moments of the game but their finishing was lacking the finesse. Padilla missed a sitter in the injury time when he shot the ball directly into the hands of Van Hout from close range after receiving an aerial pass from Koke.
The win helped Dynamos shot a place to seventh spot in the eight-team league with 10 points from as many games, while NorthEast United dropped to the last position.
Image: Players of North East United FC (in white) and Delhi Dynamos FC (in orange) in action during their ISL match in Guwahati.
Photo: PTI
