ISL 5: Delhi Dynamos beat Chennaiyin 3-1 for season’s first win

After 11 matches and seven defeats, Delhi Dynamos finally registered their maiden win of Indian Super League season five after thrashing fellow strugglers and defending champions Chennaiyin FC 3-1 at the Marina Arena on Saturday.

Both these bottom-placed teams have won one game each after 12 rounds. Delhi, courtesy the victory, moved two points clear of Chennaiyin with seven points in the second-last position. Two-time champions Chennaiyin have five.

Daniel Lalhlimpuia gave Delhi the lead in the 16^th minute before Raphael Augusto equalised from the spot. But second-half goals from Bikramjit Singh and Nanda Kumar sealed a first victory for the Dynamos, leaving Chennaiyin to their third straight defeat and ninth all season.

Rene Mihelic set up the opening goal when he found Kumar’s run on the left flank, whose cross was headed into the net by Lalhlimpuia, a former Chennaiyin FC player. But apart from conceding, it was the home side, who dominated the early exchanges with Augusto central to most of their chances.

The Brazilian tested Delhi goalkeeper Francisco Dorronsoro with two early shots before eventually scoring the equalising goal from the spot in the 39^th minute. Mohammed Sajid’s tackle on Carlos Salom from behind resulted in referee Ajitkumar Meitei awarding a penalty to Chennaiyin.

Augusto then had another opportunity to put his side on the lead just before half-time but his free-kick from a promising situation flew over the bar. Substitute Issac Vanmalsawma also skied a chance from close range even when Thoi Singh as standing unmarked and had an empty net to target.

Delhi struggled to impose themselves after conceding from the spot, but those missed chances hurt Chennaiyin as the visitors – so unlike themselves – scripted a remarkable comeback in the final quarter of the game.

Substitute Andrija Kaludjerovic found Lallianzuala Chhangte free on the right channel from a quick counter, whose cutback into the box was met by a shot from Bikramjit Singh, another former Chennaiyin player.

Nanda Kumar then sealed the victory with a deflected shot from outside the box after Chhangte’s corner was only half-cleared. The ball fell kindly for Kumar, whose shot took a deflection off Mailson Alves to hand Delhi their first victory this season.

Also read: Neroca jump to second in points-table with 0-3 win over Indian Arrows