ISL 2018/19, Delhi Dynamos 0-0 FC Goa - 5 hits and flops

During the first part of the Indian Super League, Delhi Dynamos and FC Goa produced a five-goal stellar contest at Goa, and it was Sergio Lobera's side who came away as victors. However, the reverse fixture at Delhi sees the game end in a stalemate.

It was a rather tame contest as both the sides lacked incisiveness in the final third and did not test the goalkeepers much as well. However, during the second half, Francisco Dorronsoro was caught in action when he won the contest against Edu Bedia to keep his second clean sheet of the season for the Dynamos.

The visitors had an excellent chance to leapfrog Mumbai City FC in the league table to the second position, but they were not able to hit the top gear against a Delhi team which is still lacking ideas and has so much of misunderstanding even after 14 games into the season.

Josep Gombau is striving to get the best out of the players, but they are not able to replicate that on the pitch. With some decent additions made to the squad, this campaign has been a disaster, to say the least.

There were some players who were trying their best to clinch all three points. In this article, we shall look at five hits and flops from this contest.

#1 Hit - Brandon Fernandes

Brandon Fernandes and Rana Gharami in action [Image: ISL]

If there was one player who was trying to make things happen in the midfield, it was Brandon Fernandes who showcased his brilliance with the ball for whole ninety minutes. The 24-year-old was outstanding through the left wing and almost made the whole team tick offensively.

For his blistering performance, he was awarded with the Man of the Match award. During the first half, the Indian International took a half volley from outside the box which nearly beat the shot-stopper Francisco Dorronsoro, who had to tip the ball over for a corner. Drifting into the box from the left-hand side, the 24-year-old struck the ball with enough venom to the near post which was parried away by the Delhi goalkeeper to deny him again.

Other than taking shots, he was very good with his crosses and supplied as much as he can to the talisman Corominas. Rana Gharami had a game to forget.

#2 Flop - Marcos Tebar

Marcos Tebar on the ball [Image: ISL]

Marcos Tebar, who was lined up in the midfield did not have a great game by letting players run past him so easily throughout the game. Whenever Delhi Dynamos had possession, he did not look authoritative with the ball and gave away the ball more often than not.

Life was made so easy for Ahmed Jahouh and Lenny Rodrigues who were able to keep possession and feed the forwards. There is no doubt that the hosts had lesser possession and fewer number of passes throughout the game.

On the other hand, Bikramjit Singh covered a lot of position to make up the mistakes committed by Tebar. If not for Gianni Zuiverloon at the backline, there is no doubt that the hosts would have conceded a goal because the others looked so fragile with the ball and did not fight back well whenever they lost the ball.

#3 Hit - Francisco Dorronsoro

Francisco Dorronsoro [Image: ISL]

Both shot-stoppers Dorronsoro and Naveen did not have much to do throughout the game because the strikers never really looked convincing to cause trouble at the back. But, Dorronsoro makes the list because he showcased calmness throughout the game and made a couple of good saves to keep the Dynamos in the game.

During the first half, Goa attacker Brandon Fernandes launched a shot from outside the box, but it was tipped away by the Spaniard. Had he failed to get anything on the ball, there is no doubt that the ball would have dipped and hit the back of the net. It was the same man who tested Delhi's shot-stopper in the second half.

Goa's number 10 drifted into the penalty box from the left-hand side and hammered the ball into the near post where Dorronsoro did not have a great view. But, he was able to get a strong hand to it to push it for a corner.

#4 Flop - Jackichand Singh

Jackichand Singh in action [Image: ISL]

Jackichand Singh did not look decisive from minute one. The winger had so much space to run into the flanks, and eventually he did, but he fumbled during the final delivery every single time which would have been frustrating for Sergio Lobero who wants his players to be much incisive in the final third.

Whenever Jackichand had the ball, it was Narayan Das who took the initiative to cut the supply down from the right-hand side. The left-backs success paid off as Ferran Corominas was completely isolated throughout the game.

Even though the combination play between Corominas and Brandon Fernandes has clicked, Jackichand has looked off the pace lately. It looks like Goa will be heading into the playoffs round and the Indian International will be looking to do justice to his place and put in some consistent displays.

#5 Hit - Ahmed Jahouh

Ahmed Jahouh in action [Image: ISL]

Ahmed Jahouh is one of the best midfielders in the league and he did no harm to his reputation by putting in yet another significant performance to light up Sergio Lobera. The Spanish coach will be taking the positives out of the game, with the Moroccan performance being one among them.

The 30-year-old was a steel in FC Goa's midfield and did not let the ball run past him. He is one of the reasons why the shaky Goan defence did not look lackluster tonight. The FC Goa midfielder was able to stop and stood close to Nanda Kumar and Rene Mihelic, who were the creative suppliers for the hosts.

The Slovenian International was no match to Ahmed Jahouh's fabulous display. It has become a routine for the midfielder to put in consistent performances and win back the ball in the middle of the park. His hard tackling came into action yet again against Delhi Dynamos.