Victory takes FC Pune City to fourth; Dynamos hold on to top spot
Pune/ Mumbai: Delhi Dynamos suffered a shock 3-4 defeat at the hands of Pune City FC in a thrilling match but still maintained their top spot at the points table in the Indian Super League football here on Friday.
Delhi took the lead through Kean Lewis (44th minute) but Pune turned the match around in second session with goals from Anibal Rodriguez (55th and 63rd), Mohammed Sissoko (62nd) and Lenny Rodrigues (90th).
An own goal from Pune’s Eduardo Ferreira (79th) and Malsawmzuala’s strike in the injury time kept Delhi in the hunt till the very end before losing the match at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium at Balewadi.
This was Delhi’s second defeat this season and Friday’s loss ended their five-match unbeaten streak.
The victory took Pune to the fourth spot from earlier sixth with 15 points from 11 matches, just two less than Delhi who could have virtually sealed their place in the play-offs with three points on Friday.
Chennaiyin FC and Atletico de Kolkata, both out of the top four now, can move on top with victories, while NEUFC (11 points) and FC Goa (11 points) are still in the competition with three matches left to be played.
In an exciting contest, Delhi goalkeeper Soren Porei was the hero for his team in the first 45 minutes after stopping a penalty from Mohammed Sissoko and blocking Momar Ndoye twice in a one-on-one situation.
Pune had better control and should have at least taken the lead when Anibal was brought down inside the danger zone and the referee awarded a penalty. But marquee player Sissoko ended up with a poor penalty which Porei saved by guessing correctly and diving to his left.
The miss proved costly for Pune as they conceded a goal close to half time. Marcelinho’s back-heel from just outside the box released Emerson Gomes de Moura whose pass inside the box gave Kean Lewis the space and time to slot it into the net in the 44th minute.
The goal was the 400th in the ISL and gave Delhi confidence that they can qualify for the semi-finals with three matches in hand but Pune struck in the 55th minute.
A free kick from Jonatan Lucca found Anibal who rose high over two defenders and headed it into the far post.
Mumbai City take on Blasters in key match
With the race to book semifinal slots gathering speed, Mumbai City FC take on Kerala Blasters on Saturday in a key Indian Super League clash.
The hosts, second on the table, go into the game determined not to fritter away chances like they did in their away previous drawn game against FC Goa. The Blasters would be equally keen to prevent Mumbai from scoring a second victory at home as well as take away three points. Blasters, third on the table, enter the contest after a convincing 3-1 victory over defending champions Chennaiyin FC, that included twin strikes by Bengaluru FC’s C K Vineeth.
“We have to see how Steve Coppell (Kerala coach) decides to put (use) him in the squad. He has been a key player for them,” said Mumbai team’s head coach Alexandre Guimaraes.
Mumbai have been beefed up by the availability of star India striker Sunil Chhetri after his stint with Bengaluru FC in the AFC Cup.
“We have top quality players in all departments and everyone recognises that we have quality players up front. I know sooner than later the players will convert the chances. And I hope Saturday is that day,” said the Costa Rican. (PTI)