ISL 2015: Delhi Dynamos 1-0 Chennaiyin FC - 5 Talking Points

The teams were set for a fierce encounter (Image source: ISL)The ISL caravan moved on to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the National Capital and the hosts didn’t disappoint, as an 8th minute penalty from Chicao was enough for them to see off the threat of Chennaiyin FC. Marco Materazzi was left fuming at the sidelines as his side failed to break down a resolute Delhi defence.Roberto Carlos was not a relaxed man in the home quarter either because of the slim lead they had. Chennaiyin put on a brave fight after a sluggish start, but it was just not enough, as Delhi held on resiliently to get their first win of the campaign, having lost in Goa in their opening game. Here are some talking points from the game.

#1 Delhi dominate the opening exchanges

Delhi were quicker out out of the blocks (Image source: ISL)

For the opening 15 or 20 minutes of the game, it seemed as though there was only one team playing the game. Delhi absolutely stormed out of the blocks, and Chennaiyin simply didn’t settle into their stride.

The likes of Florent Malouda and Gustavo dos Santos left the already shaky Chennaiyin defense in a tizzy. It was the little Brazilian whose trickery saw him get to the byline from where he cut the ball back for Hans Mulder to strike.

The Dutchman’s shot hit Manuele Blasi on the arm and Chicao coolly converted the penalty. Delhi didn’t rest on their laurels and went in search of a second goal, and almost got it, when a powerful run from Richard Gadze ended with the Ghanaian’s shot being diverted on to the post by Edel Bete.

#2 Huge number of fouls

It was a surprise no one was sent off in the game (Image source: ISL)

In a game where no one was afraid to make challenges, referee Tejas Nagvenkar was kept busy throughout. At the final whistle, the foul count was at 37 – Delhi contributing 25 of those.

Five players also had their names taken in the referee’s notebook. But that did not stop either team from still going into hefty challenges, and that made for exciting viewing. The midfield specifically was the battleground, as the likes of Mulder and Thoi Singh decided to get stuck in, and impose themselves on the action.

Ultimately, it was surprising that both teams ended the game with eleven players on the pitch – especially given the rate at which the referee was reaching for yellow cards in the first half.

#3 Chennaiyin fight back

Mendoza terrified the Delhi defence in spells (Image source: ISL)

After the half hour mark, Chennaiyin seemed to have hit their stride and were causing a lot more troubles to the Delhi rearguard. While Elano always kept Delhi on their toes, there were impressive games for John Stiven Mendoza and Thoi Singh as well.

The little Colombian almost made Anas Edathodika pay for some lax defending, but his sweet left-footed strike hit the woodwork. Chennaiyin kept pressing for the equalizer throughout the second half, with Balwant Singh and Abhishek Das spurning the most presentable opportunities that Chennaiyin got.

The visitors truly threw everything they had at Carlos’ men but were unfortunate to not come away with some consolation.

#4 Splendid performance from Riise

Riise was immene for Delhi across their backline (Image source: ISL)

John Arne Riise had a rather shaky ISL debut in Goa, in the Dynamos’ 2-0 loss, but the Norwegian was absolutely imperious in this game. Whether it was winning tackles, interceptions, or bringing calm to the Delhi back-line, the former Liverpool man did it all.

He did get booked early on for a rash challenge on Mendoza but from then on, Riise did not put a foot wrong. Everything that Chennaiyin threw at him, Riise repelled.

Marco Materazzi put Fikru Teferra on to pose an aerial threat, but the Ethiopian was rather easily, and serenely quelled by Riise, who ensured that Delhi’s clean sheet would remain intact.

#5 Elano taken off

Materazzi surprised everyone by taking Elano off (Image source: ISL)

With less than half an hour to go and Chennaiyin still needing the equalizer, one would have imagined that they’d look no further than their Brazilian marquee player to be the creative force that brought them back into the game. But Materazzi thought otherwise.

Elano was brought off and replaced by his young compatriot, Bruno Pelissari. Maybe, Elano was slightly feeling the heat, on what was a rather oppressive night in Delhi. But, Materazzi would have been pleased with what he saw from Pelissari.

The youngster brought a directness to Chennaiyin’s play, and was never afraid to pull the trigger. With a little more luck, he could have seen one of his 3 shots on target hit the back of the net.