Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Francisco Dorronsoro saved hosts Delhi Dynamos blushes with his brilliant goalkeeping as hosts survived many anxious moments before holding defending champion Chennaiyin 0-0 in the Hero Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.
But for Dorronsoro’s heroics Delhi would have lost by at least three goal margins..The draw left both the teams win less after having played four matches each in this season so for.
Delhi with three points from four matches(three draws and a defeat) are placed eighth in point tables while earned their first point after suffering three straight defeats.
The visitors must be ruing the missed chance .They virtually dictated the proceeding in the last quarter of the game. They did every except scoring. Dorronsoro did nothing wrong and foiled all the attempts made at him by rampaging Chennai strikers,
At least this was the match the defending champions deserved to win.Their rivals looked tentative but the visitors failed to capitalize on the chances they earned.
Chennaiyin definitely had the edge in the game but the Spanish goalkeeper who refused to concede with brilliant saves throughout the match, stood between them and victory.
Second minute into the game, the visitors had a chance to surge ahead but mid fielder Andrea Orlandi jumped the the highest to head a corner kick from Isaac V but Dorronsoro was just not in a mod concede as he got down low to pull off a stunning reflex save.
Raphael Augusto then had a chance s he raced up from midfield before taking aim from 40 yards. His pile driver was again cleared by Dorronsoro.
The goalkeeper was again on rescue mission for his side five minutes from half-time. A defence-splitting through-ball by Augusto was intercepted by Carlos Salom behind the backline. The striker squared the ball to an unmarked Thoi Singh who took a touch before sending a powerful strike that was kept out.
The hosts made first incisive move in the game came at the stroke of half-time. Lallianzuala Chhangte dribbled past a player ran down the flank before crossing perfectly towards Andrija Kaludjerovic. The striker headed the ball first-time but on rushing goalkeeper Karanjit Singh brought off fine a save.
The defending champions went on aggression soon after the break. Carlos Salom’s first-touch to receive Augusto’s through ball from midfield was wonderful but the same could not be said for the end product as the striker sent the ball wide.
The hosts were struggling to find gaps at the other end. Kaludjerovic cut an isolated figure up front and crosses into the box were dealt well by the Chennaiyin backline.
The visitors had a golden chance to score a breakthrough goal in the 70th minute when a cleared corner kick turned into a counter-attack. Augusto released Isaac into space down the left flank. The winger surged forward and squared the ball to an unmarked Salom whose shot was brilliantly saved by the onrushing goalkeeper.
The Delhi custodian put on a fine show under the bar. The Spaniard flew out from his line to punch away a delightful cross from the left by Thoi as the Lions held on for a point.
Frustrated the Chennai forwards laid a siege around the rival citadel but just could not beat the Delhi goal keeper ,who dived left, right and stood like a rock in the front to deprive the rivals their first win and also enabled his team to claim a point at least.
Midfielder @BikramFootball has been a commanding figure in the midfield against his former club. #RoarWithTheLions #DELCHE #TogetherWeCan pic.twitter.com/uDPMYDo045
— Delhi Dynamos FC (@DelhiDynamos) October 23, 2018