ISL: Delhi Dynamos overcome deficit to beat ATK on home turf

NEW DELHI: It was a show of resilience by Delhi Dynamos as they came back from two goals down to beat ATK 4-3 in their Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday. Robbie Keane (ATK) and Kalu Uche (Dynamos) scored twice for their teams, but a late goal by Matias Mirabaje was the decider.

Both ATK and Dynamos went in with similar strategies as they looked to outclass each other in the midfield. While Dynamos opted for a 4-1-3-2 system with Kalu Uche partnering Lallianzuala Chhangte at the top of the pitch, ATK decided to stick to their 4-1-4-1 formation with Keane playing as the sole striker. As a result of the congested midfield, majority of the attacks in the first half came from the wings and the match soon turned into a showdown between Dynamos winger Seityasen Singh and ATK new recruit Sibongakonke Mbatha.

Seityasen drew first blood as his measured cross found Chhangte inside the box who laid it out for Uche to score his eighth goal of the season. Dynamos were the superior side with respect to ball possession and it seemed like the perfect occasion for the hosts to regain their confidence. But, the happiness did not last long as Mbatha made a brilliant run down the left side and his shot took a major deflection off Dynamos defender Gabriel Cichero to level just before half-time.

The biggest problem for ATK has been their inability to score, but not so on the day. Before Saturday, they had scored just 11 goals in 15 matches, lowest in competition.

Keane produced an individual moment of brilliance as he curled a beautiful free-kick effort over the wall and into the net to hand ATK the lead. The joy was multiplied as Mbatha turned provider as Keane took advantage of the keeper’s mistake to make it 3-1.

Dynamos were in no mood to relent and consistent attacking bore fruit in the 69th minute.