Delhi edge past Chennai

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 8

Delhi Dynamos’ midfield and forward line showcased superb tactical intelligence to edge past Chennaiyin FC 1-0 in their first home fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament here on Thursday. Delhi had entered the Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) stadium with a psychological advantage, having beaten the Chennai side in both home and away matches in the last edition. The hosts continued to dominate the Marco Materazzi's side with yet another drubbing to start their home campaign on a winning note.

The match started on an attacking note as both the teams jostled for ball possession, which resulted in the first yellow card given to Chennai's defender Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte in the sixth minute.

Delhi dominated the ball possession through Mulder and Malouda. When an opportunity came for Mulder in the eighth minute, he made the most of it.   Mulder's shot was blocked by Chennai's Manuele Blasi with his hands, resulting in a penalty kick. Anderson Chicao stepped up to the spot and put the ball into the net with ease. 

Chennai got their first chance in the 24th minute but John Steven Valencia's strike from the right flank was saved by Delhi's goalkeeper Sanjiban Ghosh. Two minutes later, the visitors got another chance but Elano failed to convert a free kick.

Delhi came close to scoring their second goal in the 31st minute when Richard Gadze had just Chennai goalie Apoula Edima Bete to beat, but the Cameroon recruit dived to his left to save a sure-shot winner.

After the lemon break, Chennai showed more purpose and created two chances in the 61st and the 68th minutes, but their forwards were not given any space by Delhi's defenders John Riise and Sebastiao Cardoso.