ISL: Delhi Dynamos snatch draw against Atletico de Kolkata

Delhi Dynamos and Atletico de Kolkata players fight for the ball during their ISL match in New Delhi. (Source: PTI)

Delhi Dynamos played out their third draw on the trot at home as their Indian Super League (ISL) football match against defending champions Atletico de Kolkata ended in a 1-1 stalemate in New Delhi on Saturday.

Canadian striker Ian Hume put Kolkata ahead in the 27th minute before second-half substitute Richard Gadze equalised for Delhi in the 61st minute at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

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The draw meant that Delhi have not won at home since they beat Chennaiyin FC 1-0 on October 8 in their first match here and the Roberto Carlos-coached side will have to search for the elusive victory in the three matches left to be played at the JLN Stadium.

The draw did not bring any changes to the league table with Delhi still at third with 15 points from nine matches while Kolkata also remained on fourth with 14 points from 10 games.

Delhi though had beaten Kolkata 1-0 in the first leg at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Kolkata had more possession in the initial exchanges but chances were not coming from both sides. Delhi got a free kick from a dangerous area just outside the Kolkata box midway into the first half but captain John Arne Riise’s ferocious shot was blocked by his own player Seminlen Doungel.

Kolkata took the lead in the 27th minute with the usually reliable Delhi goalkeeper Antonio Doblas committing a mistake.

An overlapping Kolkata wingback Rino Anto sent a fine low cross from the right and Doblas, instead of collecting it, pushed the ball with his outstretched hands to the path of Ian Hume who blasted it to the roof of Delhi net.

Both managers did not effect any changes when the second half began and Delhi had better openings in this session. Florent Malouda had a chance in the 56th minute from just outside the box off a fine pass from Robin, but he shot over.

Delhi were not to be denied for long and Richard Gadze equalised in the 61st minute as his left footer from just inside the box beat ATK goalkeeper Amrinder Singh all ends up, to the huge roar of the crowd at the stadium.

The spadework was though done by Robin Singh and Malouda, who laid the final pass to Ghanaian Gadze, who came into the field six minutes before in place of a largely offcolour Gustavo Dos Santos.

Just minutes later, Doungel narrowly missed a chance to put Delhi ahead as his chip over the goalkeeper was a tad high from the bar.