Internet Desk: Delhi Dynamos FC kept their unbeaten record at home intact in Hero Indian Super League 2016 after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Atlético de Kolkata in front of almost 20,000 spectators at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. The visitors took a first-half lead through an Iain Hume goal before Badara Badji saw red on the stroke of half-time. Delhi equalised courtesy of a Milan Singh stunner but Javi Lara produced a bolt from the blue of his own in the 71st minute to restore ATK’s lead. Florent Malouda scored the Lions’ second equaliser as both sides solidified their position in the top 4.
Borja Fernandez had the first shot of the game in the fourth minute but failed to test Antonio Doblas in Delhi’s goal. Kolkata took the lead 13 minutes later with Sameehg Doutie and Hume combining to devastating effect. The South African winger threaded in a brilliant pass to carve open Delhi’s defence as Hume applied the finishing touch by slotting the ball beyond an outrushing Doblas to make it 1-0.
Delhi had an opportunity to equalise in the 24th minute after a Marcelinho corner was headed goal-wards by Ibrahima Niasse. The Senegalese, however, failed to hit the target as the ball went behind for an ATK goal-kick.
Helder Postiga had his first attempt of the game shortly after the half hour mark. The Portuguese striker tried to direct a cross from the left on goal but his shot went fractions above the crossbar. He was at it again four minutes later when a well-worked free-kick found its way to him with only Doblas to beat. The Delhi custodian though did just about enough to prevent ATK’s marquee man from getting off a clear shot on goal.
The Dynamos responded and nearly found their equaliser in the 38th minute with Marcelinho cutting in from the right after beating three defenders with a mazy run. However, his shot on goal was well blocked by a sea of ATK players in the box to the disappointment of the home support.
Things took a turn for the worse shortly before half-time for the Lions with Badji receiving his marching orders following a second yellow, making it 10-v-11 with the second half still to go as Delhi went in at the break a man and goal down.
Delhi received a lifeline on the hour mark after Prabir Das was adjudged to have brought down Marcelinho in the box, but they failed to make it count. Florent Malouda stepped up to the spot and fired low to Debjit Majumder’s left but the ATK goalkeeper made the save.
The hosts scored the leveller three minutes later after Milan collected a ball outside the box before unleashing a stunning left-footed shot from 25 yards that gave Majumder no chance of making a save. It was the 24-year-old’s second goal of the season.
Lara then produced a peach of his own to help ATK re-establish their lead in the 71st minute. The Spaniard picked up a loose ball before giving the goalkeeper the eyes and sending a curler from outside the box into the back of the net.
The Dynamos refused to give in though and got their second equaliser of the night three minutes later after substitute David Addy found Malouda in the box with a ball from the left. The Frenchman wriggled his way past two ATK defenders before finishing with his right foot to make it 2-2.
The last chance of the game went ATK’s way after a corner found its way to Tiri deep into injury-time. The Spaniard controlled the ball well but sent his effort over the crossbar as it ended all square in the capital city.