ISL 2018-19: 3 reasons why Delhi Dynamos FC drew with FC Pune City

Delhi Dynamos failed to get an ideal start in the Indian Super League season 5 as they were held 1-1 against FC Pune City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. Debutant Rana Gharami scored a screamer just before the half-time to put the home side ahead. However, substitute Diego Carlos restored parity just before the final whistle to bring home one point.

Delhi, who finished eighth last season, started the game with a positive attitude and created a few chances. They somehow failed to score until Rana came from nowhere to score with a thunderous strike, which could be an early goal of the season contender. Pune, last year’s semi-finalists, missed star player Marcelinho and Iain Hume badly.

Let’s look at three reasons why this game ended in a stalemate:

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#1 Gombau’s wrong team selection

Immediately after taking charge of the team, Spanish coach Josep Gombau Balague directly involved himself with the most of the recruitments. He tried to focus more on Indian players in order to unearth talents. Under his insistence, Dynamos signed the likes of Narayan Das, Bikramjit Singh, Shubham Sarangi and Lallianzulala Chhangte. But it seems there’s one area he didn’t look into i.e. strikers.

Dynamos released Kalu Uche, their most prolific striker, who was later signed by ATK. Uche scored 13 goals in only 15 games last season. Rather, they hired former Wellington Phoenix striker Andrija Kaludjerovic. After the first game, it’s certain that Kaludjerovic is not a right replacement for Uche. As the other two forwards in Dynamos’ squad are Indians and inexperienced at this level, Delhi will surely have a tough time in the future.

#2 Pune played as a team

Diego Carlos scored a late equaliser for FC Pune City [Credits: ISL]

There were two big names missing from FC Pune City’s team list. Their star striker and captain Marcelo Pereira was not available because of suspension. Iain Hume is enjoying his time as an expert as he is yet to recover from injury.

Without these stars, it was thought Pune will struggle in their first match. But that was not the case. In fact, in the first 15 minutes, it was Pune who controlled the proceedings. In the fourth minute, Ashique got the ball and squared it to Alfaro, who failed to reach. Delhi were losing the ball too often in the midfield and Pune took the chance. It was Ashique again as he got past Pritam Kotal and crossed in the middle of the box but Gharami cleared without much discomfort.

Pune never looked like they were missing something. They played as a unit. Be it youngsters Ashique, Nim Dorjee Tamang or veteran Marko Stankovic, Jonathan Vila – everyone played their part. But it was Diego Carlos who stole the limelight. The substitute played a beautiful wall pass with Emiliano Alfaro before slotting home.

#3 Misses proved costly for Delhi

Lallianzuala Chhangte failed to impress for Delhi [Credits: ISL]

Though they didn’t have a good attacking line-up at their disposal, Delhi were creating more chances than their opponents. Rene Mihelic and Lallianzuala Chhangte were operating on the midfield, regularly providing balls to Kaluderovic. The latter though couldn’t utilise any of them.

Their greatest chance came in 67th minute when a brilliant Nanda Kumar released the ball to Pritam, who cut the ball back into the box. But it was of no avail as Kaluderovic missed the opportunity from yards out.

In order to win matches, Delhi need to consolidate the midfield and create chances as many as possible. Tebar and Mihelic should be more responsible and need to make their experience count.

Chhangte is one the most promising midfielder of the country and it’s upto coach Josep Gombau to get the best out of him.