Delhi Dynamos and Atletico de Kolkata gave us a goal fest for the second day running as the Indian Super League seems to have finally leapt to life. Two cracking long rangers, four goals, a red card, some pretty ordinary refereeing and ninety minutes of breathtaking action played out into a thrilling a 2-2 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.
The result sees Gianluca Zambrotta’s men stretch the lead at the top albeit by another point as they now go two points above Kerala Blasters. Meanwhile, Kolkata move on to 13 points from 9 games and in sole position of the last playoff spot.
In an end to end game that not only challenged the players but the referee as well, we look at how each of them fared. Thankfully, we are not passing a judgment of the refereeing.
Here are the player ratings from this gripping encounter.
Delhi Dynamos
Tony Doblas (5/10)
Was caught in no man’s land for the first goal. With the Doblas rushing out, it gave Hume the perfect opportunity to score with his first touch. Commanded his box pretty well whenever call upon. His positioning for the second goal could be questioned as well.
Souvik Chakrabarti (7/10)
Another solid outing for the Mohun Bagan player. Playing as a right-back today, Souvik impressed with his industrious nature. A Vital interception on the 50-minute mark proved crucial as Hume looked clear to get his second of the goal.
Anas Edathodika (6/10)
Failed to sort out his feet as he let Sameehg Doutie’s through ball get past him. The man from God's own country had another solid outing except for that moment of indecision.
Ibrahima Niasse (5.5/10)
His inclusion was a surprise as Gianluca Zambrotta opted to start the Senegalese instead of Ruben Rocha who has been their rock at the back. Was caught off guard for the first goal as he proved to be a step too late to prevent Iain Hume from giving Kolkata the lead.
Lalchawnkima (7/10)
Moved into the centre of the defence after David Addy was brought in. Looked more comfortable than Niasse as it took only a long ranger to break Delhi’s backline in the second half.
Marcelinho (5/10)
The Brazilian was not his usual self tonight and was lucky to be on the pitch. His blatant dive in the second half could and should have resulted in his second yellow card of the evening and a sending off. However, in reality, it gave Delhi a chance to get back into the game with the referee pointing to the penalty spot.
Florent Malouda (6.5/10)
Malouda had a quiet game after his recent outburst. Missed from the penalty spot, but later redeemed himself as the ball bunced back kindly for him to score Delhi’s second.
Memo (6/10)
Had a quiet game at the centre of the park as his partner Milan Singh lit up the night with his play.
Milan Singh (8/10)
It’s not every day that an Indian outplays his fellow foreign central midfield or score a goal courtesy of a blistering strike from 25 yards out. Milan Singh did all that, and even more as the man from Manipur yet again showed why he is being hailed as the find of the season.
Kean Lewis (6/10)
The winger didn’t have any moment worth remembering during his 89-minute spell. With Badji being red carded, had to pull up his socks and provide more cover for his backline.
Badara Badji (3/10)
His only meaningful contribution to the game was getting two stupid yellow cards and handing Kolkata the advantage.
Substitutes
David Addy (7/10)
Relaced Niasse at the break. With him at the back, Delhi looked more solid down the left.
Alwyn George (N/A)
Bruno Pelissari (N/A)
Atletico de Kolkata
Debjit Majumdar (8.5/10)
Another brilliant day in between the sticks for the Mohun Bagan man. Came up big and saved from the spot, helping Kolkata earn a vital point away to Delhi.
Prabir Das (6.5/10)
Was unlucky to have been punished with a penalty when the referee deemed the right back had tripped Marcelinho in the box. Molina would expect a bit more attacking impetus.
Henrique Sereno (7/10)
Probably had his best game so far even though the team conceded two goals. Looked authoritative, and if not for him, Atletico would have had to endure some scary moments at the back.
Tiri (5.5/10)
A bad day at the office for the Spaniard. His soft tackle on Malouda led to the ball ricocheting off of the Frenchman’s legs, leading to Delhi’s equaliser. He would be ruing the chance that fell to him deep into second-half injury time.
Robert Lalthlamuana (6.5/10)
Did keep Marcelinho in check, but provided little going forward.
Borja Fernandez (7.5/10)
Had a splendid game in the middle as he looked to spread play on either flank. However, with the Atletico wingers floundering, his work wasn’t made to look as goog as it was. Could have ended up with an assist to his name if Juan Belencoso had the striker’s instinct to get at the end of a sweeping cross.
Jewel Raja (6/10)
Raja was today’s man at the middle as Molina desperately tries to find his best combination in central midfield. Raja, however, doesn’t seem to be the answer though as the man from Bengal gave a performance that littered with poor first touches.
Sameehg Doutie (7/10)
A precise ball down the middle from the South African cut open the Delhi defence to help Kolkata open the scoring. However, his night came to an abrupt halt when he had to be withdrawn in the 43rd minute with an injury.
Lalrindika Ralte (4.5/10)
After sparkling for one game against NorthEast, Ralte has again gone back to the appalling form he had at the beginning of the season. Kolkata need much better service from the left if they have aspirations to contend.
Iain Hume (7/10)
Finally scored a goal from open play as the Canadian became the first player to score 20 goals in the Indian Super League. The former Preston man looked sharp, and Atletico would be hoping that this game would spark him into the form we saw him in at the latter parts of last season.
Helder Postiga (6/10)
The Portuguese marquee man failed to make a mark in the game. It might just be wise for Molina to play him in a number ten role rather than the man at the top.
Substitutes
Javi Lara (8/10)
The Spaniard seemed to have won it late for Kolkata when he pummelled in yet another brilliant strike from long range, taking his tally to 3 goals for this season.
Bidyananda Singh (5/10)
Usually a central defensive midfielder, Bidyananda has been employed on the wings in the ISL so far. While he is a willing runner, he still doesn’t have the confidence to run at the defender.
Juan Belencoso (6/10)
Had 20 minutes to effect the game, but failed to make any real difference in the match.
