Delhi play out yet another draw in 1-1 stalemate against Pune

Delhi Dynamos registered yet another draw as they came back from a goal down in the second half to tie the game 1-1 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday.

This was Delhi’s fourth draw from six games while Pune’s second consecutive draw. Both teams needed to win the game to pull up their campaign.

While the Spanish Jesus Rodriguez Tato scored for Pune, Milan Singh scored for the Dynamos to get his first goal of the season.

The first half was almost all about Delhi until the injury time when Jesus Tato headed the ball from the left into the far post as the Delhi defence stood stunned.

Just like the other games, Delhi played around the ball well keeping the position and creating the maximum number of chances. Early on David Addy took a strong strike from far that went just wide. In the next few minutes, Marcelinho and Malouda combined well to build up quite many good moments.

Edel Bete was undoubtedly Pune’s best player as he pulled through wonderful saves denying Delhi many a times. In the 13th minute, Malouda left a cheeky pass to Milan who shot it well at the goal only for Edel to pip it out. Another wonderful save by Edel came in the 22nd minute to Gadze shot at goal. Edel, in the 30th and 43rd minute, denied Malouda, putting up a great show at the goal.

Pune, despite getting counter attacking openings from Delhi’s surge ahead, were unable to capitalise on the openings and failed to make anPune, despite getting counter attacking openings from Delhi’s surge ahead, were unable to capitalise on the openings and failed to make any real impact.

Pune suddenly found their feet in the last 5 minutes of the game and that resulted in the goal just before half-time.

Delhi looked to take lead in the second half as Gadze struck a couple of shots just wide.

In the 53rd minute, what most definitely should have been a Delhi goal, Marcelinho, from the near post, shot just wide after Edel left the goal open in an attempt to catch hold of the ball. One goal down, Zambrotta pulled up his attacking gears by replacing Addy with Bruno Pelissari and bringing in Sana for Nongrum to settle the defence. Zambrotta further stamped his attacking intent by bringing in Badara Badji in place of Malouda.

Soon in the 78th minute, Marcelinho was fouled just outside the box as he nutmegged the Pune defender to move into the box. Marcelinho took a shot free kick as he passed the ball to Milan Singh at the foot of the cluster in the centre and Milan shot it straight home.

Pulling their guns to win their first game at home, Delhi kept attacking and Gadze drove just wide in the 85th minute.

Pune, like the stoppage time of the first half, pulled through a header on target from a corner that was punched away by Poirei. Despite an excellent work rate, Delhi Dynamos missed out on a win primarily due to their finishing woes.

Both the teams will be up against Zico’s FC Goa next. While Delhi will play away from home on October 30, Pune will host Goa on November 3.