ISL 2018-19: Delhi Dynamos 3-2 Bengaluru FC – 5 talking points as Daniel’s brace hands Bengaluru 2nd successive defeat

After a topsy-turvy season, Delhi Dynamos marked their last home game of the Indian Super League 5 season with a memorable win over league leaders Bengaluru FC. The team from the capital won 3-2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.

The loss came as a blow to Bengaluru, who qualified for the play-off yesterday after Jamshedpur FC lost to FC Pune City. Bengaluru are now winless in their last three matches. For the first time this season, they have lost two back-to-back matches.

The win helped Delhi to overtake Kerala Blasters to go into the eighth position of the league table with 15 points from 16 matches. Bengaluru remained on top with 31 points from 16 matches.

Former Bengaluru man Daniel Lalhlimpuia scored a brace against his former employers after Ulises Davila gave the lead to the home side. Boithang Haokip and Sunil Chhetri scored for the visitors on either half.

Let us look at the talking points of the game:

#5 A rare off day for Gurpreet

You don’t often see Gurpreet Singh Sandhu putting his head down and leaving the field without congratulatory handshakes. He did that on Sunday and he had every reason to do so.

The way he conceded all the goals surprised many. We love to see a Gurpreet who can fly with a stretched hand to make a beautiful save. But it was day when he failed to save a shot which came straight towards him. It was a day when he stretched his hands only to put the ball into his own net!

Delhi got the lead in the 9th minute and it was the first mistake Gurpreet committed. It was a regular cross from Nandha Kumar which Gurpreet failed to clear properly and Ulises Davila scored from the rebound.

The 2nd mistake came just five minutes after his team has taken the lead. Daniel took a left-footed shot which didn’t have enough power to trouble Gurpreet. But the Punjab-born suddenly lost his concentration only to see the ball going into the net. It reminded us of the goal that former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius conceded in the Champions League final last year.

The third goal wasn’t entirely his mistake but he could’ve done better to prevent Daniel from scoring.

#4 Chhetri’s goal goes in vain

As a result of their early qualification into the playoffs, Bengaluru coach Carles Cuadrat decided to rest their captain Sunil Chhetri and gave Boithang Haokip a start. Without Chhetri, Bengaluru couldn’t do much in the first half.

Miku didn’t look the threat to the Dynamos defence, which was solid right from the start. The Venezuelan got an early chance but his efforts missed the target by a whisker. Cuadrat finally decided to introduce Chhetri in the 2nd half and the captain made an impact within 10 minutes.

Xisco Hernandez made a perfect cross to Chhetri, who was standing unmarked in the Delhi box. The Indian captain received the ball and made a darting run through the left flank and eventually scored calmly.

The goal could’ve been the winner but the mistakes from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and some sloppy defending from his teammates didn’t allow him to leave the field with a smile.

#3 Chhangte impresses after foreign stint

He wasn’t selected in the Asian Cup but Lallianzuala Chhangte’s effort in the ISL caught the attention of everyone, even officials from Norwegian club Viking FK. After completing his one-week trial with the club, Chhangte returned to the country and took the field against Bengaluru.

It looked he has sharpened his skills even though he got little time to adjust life in Norway. Why the Viking officials were impressed with the little boy was there for all to see.

Chhangte kept experienced defender Rahul Bheke on toes every time he got the ball on his feet. He made the run, delivered crosses and even got the golden chance of the match in the 64th minute.

After getting a fine through ball by Marcos Tebar, all Chhangte had to do was to place the ball into the net. Rather he went for power and the ball flew well over the bar. That was a wasted effort much below to his standard.

But he showed his real talent when he crossed a ball which Daniel Lalhilmpuia missed horribly.

#2 Defence is a big worry for BFC ahead of playoffs

After a smooth start in ISL, Bengaluru suddenly founnd themselves wrong footed. They haven’t won for the last three matches and to add to their concern, they have conceded seven goal in the process. The draw against Kerala Blasters and loss against Chennaiyin FC and Delhi Dynamos would definitely hurt their pride.

Their defence is not looking stronger as it was before. Trusted defender Juanan and Albert Serran are often committing mistakes that is unexpected from them. Rahul Bheke, who has earned much reputation in the right-back position, is also not in his usual form.

One reason may be that the players are getting tired in the fag end of tournament. This is quite natural. But they have to remember this is the most vital time for their team.

Unlike other leagues, they will not secure the title by simply topping the table. They will have to grind it out in the semi-finals and final. We all know what happened with them last year. The only hope is that it doesn’t happen this time too!

#1 Daniel comes out as unlikely hero

During his time with Bengaluru FC, Daniel Lalhlimpuia showed his excellent goal-scoring skills which forced other clubs to sit up and take notice. Dynamos finally got the service of him.

But coach Josep Gombau didn’t use him much in the initial stages of the league. The over-trust on Andrija Kaludjerovic didn’t reap any dividends. As Dynamos offloaded Kaludjerovic in the transfer window, the door suddenly opened for Daniel and he marked it memorable by scoring twice against his former team.

He was introduced in the 2nd half and operating as central forward, which allowed Davila to drop a bit down. Dynamos lacked composure in the final third in the first half. Daniel made sure he will use the crosses that were delivered by Chhangte and Nandha from either side.

He scored his first with that kind of cross which was provided by Narayan Das. He simply received the ball and took quick shot, which found the back of the net.

Edited by Kingshuk Kusari