Lazy defending, superb goals, scruffy clearances, ridiculous refereeing - this match had it all. Mumbai will be kicking themselves for letting Delhi back in but they will rightfully point out that two of the Delhi goals were as a result of some shoddy refereeing.
To Delhi's immense credit, they came out fighting, and arguably the draw was just reward for their adventure. Mumbai's goals were brilliant, though, and with Sonny Norde on the pitch and Matias Defederico on form Mumbai's attack is slick and dangerous-looking
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Both Guimaraes and Zambrotta will take their share of positives from the match, but the negatives will concern them to no end
Let’s see how the players did
Delhi Dynamos
Anganba Poirei (GK) – 5/10
The keeper - who came in place of Toni Doblas so that Nisse and Addy could be accommodated - didn’t have a great game. He looked nervous under pressure, and many of his clearances were nervously hacked out of the playing field. None of the three goals were his fault, though.
Souvik Chakraborty – 4/10
The right back had an absolute nightmare. He was turned inside out by Sonny Norde and not given a moment’s peace. Couldn’t contribute much offensively either
Ibrahime Niasse – 4/10
The centre-back had a debut to forget. He struggled to handle the pace, dynamism, and the swift interchangeability of the Mumbai front three. He was found wanting in terms of positional ability and will need to improve rapidly to keep his place in the starting XI.
Konsham Singh – 5/10
The defender was a touch better than his partner, but he too struggled to adapt to the concept of an attack that did not have a focal point. Was guilty, along with the rest of his defence, of ball watching for two goals when he allowed Vadocz and Norde to run into the box without a care in the world.
David Addy (Off 91’) – 6/10
The left back forced Leo Costa to cut inside time and again and didn’t give Mumbai much joy on their right flank. Kept Khongjee pegged back and bombed forward regularly. The Ghanian was the best of the Delhi defenders.
Milan Singh – 7/10
The Indian midfielder was decent throughout as he constantly looked forward for passing the ball. It’s this willingness, and ability to look forward that marks him out as a talent. Played a couple of good balls
Florent Malouda – 6/10
It was another underwhelming performance from the marquee signing. At times he looked like he was rolling back the years, and he did put in some teasing crosses but he couldn’t really affect the game in the way he would have wanted.
Memo (off 66’) – 5/10
The defensive midfielder was operating in incognito mode in the first half as Mumbai’s midfield and fluid forward line completely overhwelmed him in the middle of the pitch. He was substituted off after the hour mark – partly as he was sacrificed for a more attacking option, but also because he had no influence on proceedings
Marcelinho – 7/10
The Brazilian did a lot of the initial things correctly – timed his runs well, beat his fullback often – but couldn’t really come up with the goods that mattered on most occasions. He was still heavily involved in everything good that Mumbai did. His assist to Badji and that nerve-free penalty means that he’ll have left the pitch a reasonably happy man
Kean Lewis (Off 46’) – 3/10
The only reason we know Kean Lewis played the match is because he name appears on the team sheet.
Richard Gadze – 7/10
Ever willing and hard working, the striker never gave up the ghost. He chased and harried and chased some more, and even though there was no quality at the end of it all, made chances for Delhi with his direct, pacy, running – like when he won the penalty he won for the home team. His goal was a just reward for all the work he put in.
Substitutes
Rupert Nongrum (On 46’) – 5/10
Replaced the desperately poor Kean Lewis and played the entirety of the second half. Was slightly better in terms of overall involvement on the pitch, but couldn’t really do much.
Badara Badji (on 66’) – 6/10
Came on to put pressure on the Mumbai defence, and did so admirably well. Had a well taken goal that came from that un-defendable combination of pace and power that Badji brings to the table.
Lalchawnkima (On 91’) – NA
Came on to soak in a bit of the atmosphere
Mumbai City FC
Roberto Valpato – 6/10
The Brazilian goalkeeper was unlucky to be penalized for the penalty as Gadze dived at his feet. Made a couple of judgment errors, but was otherwise solid and comfortable with Mumbai’s constant bombardment. Could do little to prevent the goals.
Airbolang Khongjee – 6/10
The enthusiastic right back had an unusually quiet game. Kept Lewis quiet all of the first 45, but was skinned more than once by Marcelinho in the second. Couldn’t bomb forward in the way he usually likes to do.
Lucian Goian – 5/10
The Romanian was good for large periods of the game, but was guilty of a couple errors –especially on the Badji goal. He did well to get to it, but he should have been able to hoick it away from the goal (from the goalline) instead of helping it on its way.
Anwar Ali (Off 76’) – 6/10
The big man was a constant threat aerially whenever Mumbai had a set piece. In fact should have scored when he was presented with a gilt edged chance - a free header. Did well to keep gadze at bay for most of the game, but limped off late on with a groin injury
Sena Ralte – 4/10
The adventurous left back was found wanting positionaly on more than one occasion, as Marcelinho and Nongram took it in turns to torment him. The Brazilian particularly breezed past him with pronounced ease. Tried to provide support at the other end, but didn’t have the quality to trouble Delhi.
Sehnaj Singh – 6/10
Unfortunate to be Yellow carded (which means he misses the next game) the midfield enforcer was pretty neat today. With his regular partner Halder back in action – he looked comfortable for large parts of the game.
Krisztian Vadócz – 7.5/10
The Hungarian was immense in the first half. His run for the opening goal was exceptional, while his finishing for both his goals were nerveless and clinical. He was everywhere in the first 45, but does not get a higher rating because he faded as the game wore on.
Pronay Halder – 6/10
The Kolkata lad was missed against Kerala, and today he showed his importance to the team. His positional discipline allowed Vadocz to roam forward, while the bite he provided was crucial in Mumbai winning the midfield battle – especially in the first hour of play.
Sonny Norde (Off 77’) – 8.5/10
The Haitian was excellent for the duration of his stay on the pitch. He teased and tormented Souvik and did not give the Delhi right back a moment’s peace. His pace, ball control and vision were on display for all to see. Scored a goal (Mumbai’s third) with a very well worked, and well taken effort.
Leo Costa (Off 65’) – 7.5/10
The Brazilian had been off colour in the first week, and there had been calls from many quarters to drop him. However, he showed his class today with an imperious display in the first half which was highlighted by that visionary through ball to Vadocz to set up the first goal. Was replaced by Cafu as the manager sought more pace on the counter
Matias Defederico – 8.5/10
The Argentine put in an apathetic display last time around against Kerala, but he showed his undoubted brilliance today. He was the creator in chief for the Mumbaikars, and along with Norde, was the best player on the pitch. Wherever there was anything good happening for Mumbai he was in the middle off it. It was his freekick that rebounded to Vadocz for their second goal, and he was unlucky to score himself when a rasping drive hit the post late on.
Substitutes
Cafu (65’) – 6/10
Was a livewire from the moment he came on. Almost scored with his first touch when he flashed a shot just inches wide and combined well with Norde for the third goal. His scoop back to the Haitian was simply delicious.
Ashutosh Mehta (On 76’) – 5/10
Came on for the injured Ali but did not look comfortable at all. Considering that Delhi were by then launching attack after attack, this may be understandable.
Gerson (on 77’) – 4/10
The defender came on to provide more defensive stability to the Mumbai backline, but the plan backfired when he allowed Gadze to bully him and get away with the ball in the build-up to the penalty
