In a match expected to have a lot of attacking flavor, first season champions Atletico De Kolkata faced league leaders Delhi Dynamos FC in a much-talked encounter of ISL 2016. In the 9 matches Delhi has played this season, it has only faced defeat against the Jose Molina side, a 1-0 defeat courtesy off an Iain Hume goal.
The game started brilliantly, with ATK looking the better side. Iain Hume got the first goal of the game in the 17th minute, finishing a smooth through ball from Sameehg Doutie. The scoreline was 1-0 at the break, but Delhi looked to be changing their approach in the second half. Milan Singh, one of the key players in the Delhi line-up, scored a brilliant goal in the 63rd minute.
The drama though, had not ended then. After missing a penalty in the 61st minute, Malouda looked to change things playing as the lone striker. The home team kept attacking and Javi Lara scored against the run of play in the 71st minute. Malouda then came into his own, scoring with a fine solo effort in the box, turning the scores level for the second time. The game was a treat for the audience and can easily be termed as one of the best matches in ISL history.
Here, we take a look at the five talking points of the match.
#1 Delhi Dynamos missed three key players
Delhi Dynamos FC, the home team, started the game on the defensive. The team gave a lot of respect to the visitors, who had defeated Delhi in the first leg 1-0. With Ruben Gonzalez, Marcos Tebar and Richard Gadze not in the starting XI either due to injuries tor tactical reasons, Delhi looked a different side on the pitch. Zambrotta, though, must be a happy man by the end of the game.
Playing without the three first team regulars, the team did look a little ruffled on the pitch in the first half. As the fame grew, Kolkata kept on growing into the game, deservingly getting the lead in the 17th minute. With tactical changes having an effect on the game, Delhi came back twice from behind to settle scores. While it must be said that the home team fought valiantly against their nemesis, it must also be said that the home team missed their leading players on the pitch.
The draw showed the intent and dedication showed by the home team, rightfully placing them at the top of the heap. Atletico De Kolkata was easily the better team in the first half, while Delhi turned the tables in the second half. Tireless running and matching numbers playing with 10 men on the pitch, Delhi should pat their backs with the final scoreline.
#2 Iain Hume excels in the central attacking role
Iain Hume has always been a handful for defenders throughout the league. The Canadian striker is the top scorer of the league for a reason. The bald-headed No. 7 was given a free role at the top of the attacking pivot for the away team and the player proved his credentials to the hilt.
The striker was the chief tormentor against one of the most composed defenses in the league. The player kept making attacking runs off the defenders and linked well with Sameehg Doutie and Helder Postiga.
It was a brilliant finish for the first goal, which saw ATK take the lead in the 17th minute. The striker also laid off a brilliant pass for Doutie in the 24th minute, the South African only managing a poor shot at Antonio Doblas.
The striker did not stop after the goal. Hume kept running at lost causes, putting the central defensive pair under constant pressure. With no real communication between Anas and Niasse on the pitch, it made the job easier for the striker to disturb and force the defensive pairing into mistakes.
#3 ATK looked the more attacking side
With a new backline in the form of Anas Edathodika pairing Baye Ibrahima Niasse, it was always going to be a tough task for the home team to keep the attacking troika of Iain Hume, Sameehg Doutie and Helder Postiga at bay. One of the best partnerships in the league saw the away team banging in a goal which had good team understanding, game intelligence and calm finishing.
The move started with a casual pass in the middle of the park to Sameehg Doutie, who had drifted in after a Delhi attack. With the quality the South African possesses, it was always going to be difficult with the amount of space provided to him.
The winger read a brilliant run from Iain Hume, who ran behind Niasse and Anas as if they were absent. Coolly receiving the ball, the striker calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net. The move completed a fine display of composed and coordinated team play, and showed why ATK looks one of the best attacking teams in the league.
Throughout the game, ATK’s running pair of Sameehg Doutie and Hume kept firing against the new backline of the home team. The team created chances at will, with every attacking run looking threatening. In the second half, the game slowed up a bit for the visitors, with Javi Lara not being able to create the same momentum as provided by the South African winger.
#4 The introduction of David Addy helped affect proceedings for the home team
After the 44th minute double yellow of Badara Badji, Delhi Dynamos looked to be pushed to the brink. At the restart, Delhi Dynamos coach Gianluca Zambrotta threw a wildcard, in the form of David Addy. The left-back replaced centre-back Ibrahima Niasse and turned the game on its head. With continuous attacks from the wings, Zambrotta had read the game right.
The coach understood that Borja’s presence in the middle with two foreign centre-backs would not give enough space to the home team’s attack to exploit them and thus, put a lot of impetus on his wings. Shifting Malouda to the central striker was another brilliant move, as the captain rose up to the occasion brilliantly.
The former FC Porto player showcased his tireless running abilities and assisted the second goal for the home team with a brilliant pass to his captain in the box.
Addy also started a brilliant move in the 78th minute, linking smartly just outside the box with Bruno Pelissari. The player can be touted to be one of the main reasons for Delhi’s revival on the pitch.
#5 Delhi looked a different team in the second half
While the team started on a defensive note, one commendable change at the half-time helped the side change their fortunes. With a small defender in Kim Kima manning the central defense with Anas Edathodika, Delhi had the attitude and bravery to take the game against the side leading by a goal. Portraying more than enough vigor and will to attack, Delhi never looked like a side to be playing with 10 men.
Milan Singh, Memo and David Addy took the battle to the opposition in a majestic way. The Indian midfielder who has featured in all games for the league leaders scored with a terrific finish in the 63rd minute, to change the complexion of the game. Running at defenders with a new found freedom, the team attacked with venom and did not give a lot of space in the central defensive zone, playing with an Indian pair of Anas and Kim Kima.
The grit and determination showed by the team in the second half proves why this team sits at the top of the table. Fighting hard, it was a sight to behold to see Milan Singh vying for the ball to break Kolkata’s attacks. The team played at a much higher tempo and credit must be given to the gaffer, who masterminded the change in approach.
