ISL: Super-sub Maimouni hands ATK Messi named best La Liga player for Sept Its first win, BEAT DELHI Dynamos 2-1
NEW DELHI: Substitute Noussair El Maimouni found the net in dying minutes of the game to script ATK'S first win of the season as the visitors edged past Delhi Dynamos 2-1 in an Indian Super League (ISL) match, here Wednesday.
A fine strike from Balwant Singh (20') gave Steve Coppell's men the lead before Pritam Kotal equalised nine minutes into the second session.
However, ATK had the last laugh as El Maimouni came up with winner in the 84th minute.
The teams displayed good energy at the start but the first real chance went to ATK about 10 minutes into the game. Manuel Lanzarote sent in a lovely free-kick which was headed straight to the goalkeeper by Nigerian striker Kalu Uche.
Uche then had another opportunity when Vinit Rai gave away the ball to Pronay Halder. The midfielder found the Nigerian striker who eased into the box but saw his shot saved. ATK, however, did not have to wait long to surge ahead. In the 20th minute, Lanzarote exchanged passes with Halder before picking out Balwant Singh on the left wing. The striker shimmied into the box before curling a peach of a strike into the far corner.
Dynamos slowly grew into the game but it were ATK who came close to doubling their lead. Komal Thatal went on a surging run down the right but his eventual cross was weak and Balwant could only head it wide. Just minutes into the second half, Delhi could have levelled scores when Kotal rose highest in the box to meet Narayan Das' corner. However, he could only head over from point-blank range. But the hosts did have their equaliser in the 54th minute from another corner. Rene Mihelic whipped one into the far post where Rana Gharami managed to head it back across the box. Kotal, this time around, directed it home from close-range.
Once they equalised, Delhi, with their tails up, could have taken the lead. Andrija Kaluderovic sent a first-time shot straight into goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja's hands before Marti Crespi forced the goalkeeper into a low save.
With Delhi dominating the exchanges, Coppell sent in Jayesh Rane and Noussair El Maimouni for Komal Thatal and Uche.
With six minutes remaining, the two substitutes combined to hand ATK the winner. Delhi were leaving a lot of spaces as they hunted for a goal and Rane capitalised on a quick counter.
He was played clear down the right by Lanzarote and the winger had the presence of mind to cut back and lay it off to Maimouni who swept an accurate finish off the post. MADRID: Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi on Wednesday was named the best player in the Spanish football league for the month of September, La Liga said in a statement.
Messi is to receive the award in Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium ahead of Saturday's clash with Sevilla, reports Efe.
"Leo Messi, the FC Barcelona forward, has been named the La Liga Santander Player of the Month for September," La Liga said via their website.
"The Argentine scoops the first prize of the 2018/2019 season after an impressive start to the campaign which saw his side go to the top of the standings," the statement added.
Messi scored three La Liga goals last month, one against Girona and a brace against Huesca, as well as collecting four assists.
Barcelona holds the second spot in the Spanish league table with 15 points, one point behind Sevilla.