ISL 2015: Delhi Dynamos 2-3 FC Goa - The Gaurs complete an incredible comeback to finish 1st in the league table

Romeo Fernandes and Joffre were instumental in the Gaur’s comeback win (Photo courtesy ISL)

Delhi Dynamos had undergone a lot of tinkering leading up to the second season of the Hero Indian Super League. Coach Harm van Veldhoven and marquee player Alessandro del Piero, amongst a host of others were done away with and former world cup winner Roberto Carlos was brought on board to inspire the outfit which seemed insipid and listless through their debut campaign.

John Arne Riise and Florent Malouda, legends in their own right were drafted in too, as Club President Prashant Aggarwal gushed it was the desi version of the ‘galacticos’, a term synonymous with Real Madrid squad of the early 2000s. Carlos himself seemed full of vigour and enthusiasm in his first interaction with the media here, so much so that most thought it was a mandate that the team would cruise through the group stages and qualify for the play-offs. A couple of weeks spent in Scandinavia and a further month of toiling here in the capital leading up to their opening game seemed futile as the team fell flat in the season opener against FC Goa.

The franchisee, coached by Zico and led by another Brazilian legend Lucio decimated the Lions, thus serving them a reality check. Carlos, we hear came down hard on the team and over the next 12 games, his pupils ensured that they gave their coach little to complain.

Today, on the final day of the group stages, as the team prepared itself to face the same opponents again, it was predicted that a host of the first team regulars would be rested. That didn't quite happen as Carlos seemed to have revenge on his mind. More importantly, a win here would ensure they would finish the group stage unbeaten at home and carry momentum in to the semi finals, which again will be against the same franchisee.

First Half: Delhi started well to take a 2-0 lead

Quite unlike the opener though, the Dynamos seemed to have purpose in their movement. They had clearly found their touch and started the game dominantly. Adil Nabi and Robin Singh both had efforts thwarted by the four-pronged Goa defence. They however couldn't hold fort for long as a free kick from Malouda was headed in by Dutch midfielder Serginho Greene. It was the French player’s 8th assist in the 14 games of the ISL, the joint highest in the tournament.

Minutes later, Pronay's clearance struck Robin Singh and ricocheted past the visiting custodian Elinton Andrade who raced back to retrieve it. The Dynamos number 9 seemed convinced that the ball had gone in but the linesman waved play on.

The hosts however didn't have to wait long to double their advantage; Ghanian striker Richard Gadze found Adil Nabi with a through ball and the youngster made no mistake as he showed poise in slotting from close range.

Second Half: Goa strike back in second half

After the break though, FC Goa showed why they will be no pushovers in the knock outs. Romeo Fernandes first cut in and struck a beautiful left footer to reduce Delhi’s advantage and then within a minute, tapped in Reinaldo’s cross to restore parity and stun the 22000 strong crowd here.

Later, with less than a few seconds left on the clock, Jofre danced past Sanjiban Ghosh to complete the turnaround. Delhi’s fortress had been breached.

Teams to meet again in Semi Final

The result ensures the teams will face off again twice over the next 10 days. While the first leg will be played out here, the second would take place in Fatorda, Goa. Irrespective of the result, Delhi will finish their campaign where they started. Carlos & Co would be hoping though that the return leg is their penultimate fixture and not the final one this season.