ISL 2017: Delhi Dynamos win hearts with gesture of sportsmanship against FC Pune City

The Delhi Dynamos began their ISL 2017 campaign on a fine note as they clinched a 3-2 victory over FC Pune City at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune. The away side dominated proceedings for large parts of the game and despite a late surge towards the end by the Stallions, it was the Delhi team who take all three points.

Along with their goalscoring prowess, they also displayed a fine moment of sportsmanship at the beginning of the game, when Pune's Jewel Raja had to go off injured without even kicking a ball.

Raja, who was named in the starting lineup, was unable to continue due to injury and was substituted in the opening minute of the match. He joined the team huddle before kickoff but soon walked away towards the bench, while wincing in pain. However, he could not be substituted before the start of the match and thus he had to sit on the field as the Lions kicked off the game.

Noticing Raja's situation, the Dynamos displayed some great sportsmanship and as soon as the match started, they played the ball out to the wing, where Sena Ralte immediately put it out of play. This enabled the Pune side to make the change as Raja limped his way back to the bench, grimacing in pain and holding back tears.

Jewel Raja walking off before kickoff (Image courtesy: Hotstar)

Sena Ralte plays the ball out (Image courtesy: Hotstar)

Pune complete the substitution (Image courtesy: Hotstar)

The match resumed soon and saw the Delhi side take charge of the game, with winger Lallianzuala Chhangte proving to be quite a handful on the left wing. He provided the assist for the first goal with a delicious cross from the left and then scored the second himself, pouncing on an error by the Pune defence.

Matias Mirabaje added the third for Delhi with a thumping curler from outside the box. Emiliano Alfaro and Marcos Tebar scored for the home side in the end, but it was not enough as Delhi picked up the 3-2 win.