ISL 2018-19: Delhi Dynamos 1-2 ATK: Hits and Flops from the game

It was an end to the six-match winning streak at home for Delhi Dynamos as ATK humbled the Lions at home with a 1-2 victory. ATK seemed the underdogs going into the game after a dismal start to the league while Dynamos had the upper hand.

The game got off to a lively start and ATK drew first blood after Manuel Lanzarote's chipped ball forward found Balwant Singh, who curved it in from the left and made it 0-1 at the 20th-minute mark.

Delhi Dynamos restored parity in the second half through captain Pritam Kotal who headed the ball in after Rana Gharami put an incoming corner across the face of the goal towards Kotal in the 54th Minute.

The game seemed like it would end with a draw but Steve Coppell had other plans. He brought in El Maimouni in the 81st minute replacing Kalu Uche. The Moroccan showed the much-needed agility upfront and scored subsequently in the 84th minute after he was laid off by Jayesh Rane.

We take a look at the hits and flops from the first game of the Indian Super League after the International break:

#1 Hit: Manuel Lanzarote (ATK)

With the captain's responsibility on his shoulders, the former FC Goa midfielder was on top form today. His clever through balls from the middle of the pitch troubled the Delhi defence at regular intervals. Lanzarote's pinpoint delivery of freekicks also kept Dorronsoro on a full check.

In fact, it was his chipped ball forward to Balwant Singh which caught Delhi off-guard and allowed ATK to take the lead. Lanzarote had a key part to play in the second goal as well as his initial pass to Jayesh Rane split the Dynamos defence and allowed Rane to set up El Maimouni on a plate for the final finish.

#2 Flop: Andrija Kaluđerović (Delhi Dynamos)

Andrija Kaluderovic slowed down Delhi's attacking moves up the pitch on several occasions. Image Courtesy: (Indian Super League)

The Serbian was extremely off-colour tonight as he failed to create even a single goal-scoring chance. He was easily dispossessed by the ATK defence and seemed to lack serious intent.

Fans and Pundits alike may even say that Kaludervoic was in no mood to play and took things too lightly. He was walking around the pitch and did not even try to earn possession back at times he lost it. Josep Gombau may have to speak to Kaluderovic regarding the disappointing performance tonight.

Pronay Haldar, Gerson Vieira and John Johnson, none of them faced any difficulty in containing the Serbian. Kaluderovic was slow in his runs and was outpaced by both the ATK fullbacks while chasing the balls. The Serb was also disappointing in challenging for the headers in the aerial battles for possession.

#3 Hit: Komal Thatal (ATK)

Komal

Thatal's

first ever ISL start was a positive one which included pacey runs and quick passes played to the other forwards. (Image Indian Super League)

The 18-year-old was awarded his first ever Indian Super League start by Steve Coppell, and the young lad from Sikkim did live up to the challenge.

Thatal and Uche combined well at times to disturb the balance of the Delhi side. Dynamos had to mark Thatal with more than one man on a few occasions which speaks volumes about the potential of the youngster.

Thatal's pace out run Narayan Das' on the right flank on numerous occasions. He created a few goal-scoring chances for the team as well when he found Balwant Singh and Kalu Uche clear on goal but both of them failed to finish off those respective goal-chances.

Most of the ATK crosses were coming in from the right and that's exactly where Thatal was a menace for the Dynamos defence.

#4 Flop: Narayan Das (Delhi Dynamos)

Narayan Das struggled

keeping

youngster Komal Thatal in check. He had to team up with Rana Gharami to contain the agile Komal Thatal. (Image Courtesy: Indian Super League)

The experienced campaigner from Bengal was taken on for a pacey ride in the evening. He was beaten on numerous occasions by ATK based former India U-17 striker Komal Thatal. Narayan Das had to resort to last-ditch tackles on numerous occasions to restrict the Uche-Komal juggernaut.

Narayan Das was also dismal going forward. His first touch let him down on a few occasions which frustrated Chhangte numerous times. Das' crosses kept going wayward from the left flank disrupting several of Delhi's moves up the pitch.

While Das did perform well in the friendly against China in Suzhou, he was completely off his best form today. He has to work on his pace and fitness to secure his place in the Dynamos' line up in the next few games.

#5 Hit: Balwant Singh (ATK)

The 'Hero of the Match' scored the opening goal and was a constant threat to the home side. (Image Courtesy: Indian Super League)

Adjudged the 'Hero of the Match' by the organizers, the Hosiarpur born forward put up a good show in the game. He was constantly breaching the Delhi goal with shots from outside the box and combined well with Komal.

Balwant Singh showed his experience and composure as he comfortably curled in the ball beyond Dorronsoro's reach and gave ATK the 0-1 lead.

Balwant was deadly in the second half as well but failed to make his way on to the scoresheet with a couple of hurried shots going well wide of the target. A little more composure from Balwant Singh in the second period of 45 minutes would have put the game to bed much early on.

Balwant Singh has to continue finding the back of the net to ascertain his place in Constantine's AFC Asian Cup 2019 squad