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Delhi Dynamos hosted ATK in a game that had only pride to play for, as both the teams had no chance to make it to the playoffs or secure a direct qualification spot for the super cup.
ATK, last season’s champions, have had a season to forget, as injuries and turmoil of the pitch have plagued their season. Delhi on the other hand never really got their season started as they failed to get the correct combination going for them.
The first half started on a bright note for the team from the capital and they went ahead in the 23rd minute through a Kalu Uche goal but the last season's champions equalized in the 37th minute through debutant Mbatha.
ATK came out all guns blazing in the second half as Robbie Keane scored two goals in quick succession to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. Then Delhi scripted a thrilling comeback with two quick goals to make the scoreboard read 3-3. Delhi snatched the winner in injury time through a Mirabaje strike which helped Delhi Dynamos leapfrog ATK in the points table.
On that note let's take a look at the player ratings of today’s game
Delhi Dynamos
Xabier Iruetaguena (5.5/10)- Delhi’s goalkeeping howler was back today, as the Spaniard spilled a ball through his hands and onto Robbie Keane’s path. After the spill incident, his confidence seemed to take a big blow and he made some hasty clearances.
Pritam Kotal (7/10)- Pritam didn’t have much to do while defending as ATK seldom used their left wing, and that helped Pritam to venture forward and help Seityasen in the attack. He ventured into the ATK box often and had few pops at the ATK goal, and had one good shot saved by Soram.
Rowlinson Rodrigues (6/10)- Rowlinson looked to have problems copping up with Robbie Keane and was often seen on all fours trying to keep the Irishman at bay. He also had a lot of issues covering Mbathe.
Gabriel Cichero (5.5/10)- Cichero was a bit shaky in defence today and it was his deflection that allowed ATK the equaliser in the first half. Cichero did lunge into some hasty tackles which could have been dangerous for his team.
Sena Ralte (5/10)- Sena was completely put to dust by Mbathe. He performed poorly as the left back, and couldn’t do much as the left winger either. His passing was not up to the mark today and he didn’t cover his man well.
Joren Lumu (8/10)- Lumu had more of the ball than most of the players on the pitch as he shuttled between left back and left wing with conviction. He was the main reason Mbathe was quiet for the final 20 minutes of the game. Lumu defended and then built attacks from the back. It was Lumu’s run in the 90th minute that provided Delhi with the winning goal.
Vinit Rai (7/10)- Vinit Rai had more touches of the ball than any other player on the field. He looked to control the whole game and played some good passes for his forwards. He provided a delicious pass for Arana but the Spaniard failed to utilise the ball.
Seityasen Singh (8.5/10)- He literally schooled Keegan in the second half. Seityasen was lively throughout the game and looked to get his name on the score sheet, which he eventually did. He also provided a vital assist for Kalu Uche and was the main man who instigated the spirited Delhi comeback in the second half.
Paulinho Dias (6.5/10)- Paulinho started the game on a bright note and created some good chances in the first half, but sort of faded away in the second half. His passing though was good today.
Lallianzuala Changte (7.5/10)- Changte created a lot of problems for Ashutosh and Anwar with his runs and crosses. He provided a good assist for Seityasen and it was his movement and presence that helped Uche get the cutback for the first goal Delhi scored.
Kalu Uche (9/10)- Kalu Uche has been in rich vein of form recently and has been in a good goalscoring form as he bagged his 7th goal in 6 games. He played as the perfect fox in the box and gave the likes of Anwar Ali plenty of problems. Uche went onto score another goal from a Seityasen cross. Uche also provided Mirabaje with an assist for the winning goal.
ATK
Soram Poirei (6.5/10)- The ATK keeper pulled off some good saves, and kept ATK in the game in the first half. He made some good saves and also made a clean catch from an Arana shot.
Ashutosh Mehta (6/10)- Ashutosh had his hands full trying to keep the likes of Lumu and Changte quiet, he couldn’t really do much against the two and was beaten often but he tried his best and also helped Mbathe run riot in the Delhi defence.
Anwar Ali (5.5/10)- Anwar had problems keeping Uche in check and often was found lunging into the tackles early giving space to the Delhi attackers. He also made a lot of mistimed passes, which gifted Delhi possession in some dangerous situations.
Jordi Montel (7/10)- Jordi had a good game as he made numerous blocks and clearances. He also tried to build attacks from the back and made sure that he covered for his teammates.
Keegan Pereira (4.5/10)- He was literally schooled by Seityasen and Pritam as he failed to keep a check on the Delhi wingers and was often beaten for pace. His positioning was really poor and had he done a bit better maybe ATK could have come out of the tie with a win.
Sankar Sampingraj (5.5/10)- Shankar was literally overrun by the Delhi midfield in the second half, as he failed to find any space, he didn’t have many touches of the ball and most of his passes were lateral passes.
Hitesh Sharma (6/10)- The young midfielder had a difficult game, as he had to do a lot of defending. He was often found out of position. He also couldn’t create many chances for his forwards.
Conor Thomas (7/10)- Conor Thomas has been the main midfield lynchpin for ATK. He was the main creator of attacks for ATK and played some good balls to Mbathe which helped the young winger run at the Delhi defence.
Sibongakonke Mbatha (8.5/10)- The young lad from South Africa who was making his debut was a handful for the Delhi defence as his pace and guile kept everyone guessing. He got a goal to his name, and also played some good passes for his teammates. His run during the third goal ATK scored was just sublime, the pace he showcased was world class.
Robbie Keane (8/10)- Robbie Keane had a quiet first half, but rose like a phoenix in the second half. First, he scored from a brilliantly taken free kick, and moments later he nearly perfectly chipped the Delhi keeper only to see the ball hit the crossbar. He got his second goal moments later when he followed up a spill from the Delhi keeper to tap it into the empty net.
Jayesh Rane (6/10)- ATK used Mbatha extensively which left Jayesh lonely on the other flank, he had very few touches of the ball, and his passing was also poor. He also didn’t track back and help out defenders much.
