Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
A super opportunistic goal by substitute El Maimouni Noussair in the 84th minute enabled, two time champion ATK pip spirited Delhi Dynamos 2-1 to record their first win in this season of the Hero Indian Super League at Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium here on Wednesday.
For ATK who led 1-0 at half time, other goal scorer Balwant Singh. Pritam Kotal equalised for the hosts.
This was Delhi Dynamos first defeat in two matches having drawn their first fixture 1-1 with Pune FC . ATK had lost both their previous matches against Kerala Blasters and North East United FC.
In a fast paced match in which Delhi had more possession of the game, it was ATK who took the lead in the 20th minute through Balwant Singh. The striker intercepted the ball on the left corner of the rivals’ box. He dribbled past a defender and with a powerful right footer sent the ball into the top right corner, beating the goalkeeper Dorronosoro all ends up.
The lead lasted 34 minutes as Pritam Kotal equalised nine minutes into the second session.
However, ATK clinched the issue and collected three points as substitute Noussair El Maimouni came up with winner in the dying minutes of the game.e.
The teams desperate for full points started aggressively and attacked each other citadel but the first real chance was squandered by the visitors in the 10 minutes when Manuel Lanzarote sent in a lovely free-kick but the Nigerian striker Kalu Uche’s. header was superbly blocked by the goalkeeper.
Uche who kept the forward line moving also missed few good chance. He had another opportunity when Vinit Rai gave away the ball to Pronay Halder. The midfielder found the Nigerian striker who shot the ball straight but his shot was cleared..
After conceding the first goal, Delhi Dynamos started countering vigorous but hardly made any incisive attack while ATK came close to doubling their lead. Komal Thatal made a superb run down the right but his cross was weak and Balwant headed it wide.
A couple of minutes into the second half,, Delhi could have levelled scores when Pritam Kotal rose highest in the box to meet Narayan Das’ corner. However, he could only head over from point-blank range.
But the hosts did have their equaliser in the 54th minute from another corner. Rene Mihelic whipped one into the far post where Rana Gharami managed to head it back across the box. Kotal, this time around, directed it home from close-range.
Having equalised, Delhi, went flat out on attack and had the chance to surge ahead when . Andrija Kaluderovic sent a first-time shot straight into goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja’s hands before Marti Crespi forced the goalkeeper into a low save.
With Delhi dominating the exchanges, ATK coach Coppell made crucial changes bringing in in Jayesh Rane and Noussair El Maimouni for Komal Thatal and Uche.
With just six minutes remaining, these two substitutes combined to give ATK the winner.
Delhi in their desperation to score left lot of spaces and Jayesh Rane capitalised on a quick counter. He was played clear down the right by Lanzarote and the winger had the presence of mind to cut back and relayed it to Maimouni who sent the ball home. And that ended Delhi’s hope of retaining at least a point..