ISL: Delhi Dynamos beat Kerala Blasters 1-0
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kochi, October 18 2015: The 62,013-strong crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi witnessed a well-contested game but Kerala Blasters FC had to brave another defeat as they lost 1-0 to Roberto Carlos' Delhi Dynamos FC in Hero Indian Super League 2015 on Sunday evening, courtesy of Richard Gadze's late goal.

With the win, Delhi took the second spot in the league on nine points from four matches, behind FC Pune City on goal difference, while after their second defeat from four matches, Kerala remained sixth.

Both teams played a good first half, with Kerala Blasters taking the first jab.

Fresh from his India stint, Cavin Lobo entered from the right wing with the match's first shot on goal in the second minute.

Competent football coming in from both sides, fans witnessed a display of deep possession and a series of alternating short and long passes.

While CK Vineeth, Chris Dagnall and Victor Pulga were amongst the ones in charge of the constant raids on the Delhi Dynamos goal, Kerala Blasters faced a constant threat from the likes of Robin Singh, Gustavo dos Santos and Florent Malouda.

The match marked the Hero ISL debut for Kerala's marquee player Carlos Marchena.

He got eventually substituted by Bruno Perone in the second half but had his moments.

Also playing their first matches of Season 2015 were Kerala's Sandesh Jhingan, Lobo and Dynamos' Francis Fernandes.

The first half did see some key moments, one of them coming in the 39th minute.

Robin Singh had a long cross put through and he sped up his chase but with no resistance in sight he tried to match the speed of the ball.

And the Blasters' custodian Stephen Bywater stepped out of his box and lapped it up safely, denying the capital city lads yet another chance.

Dagnall, who was injured in the first half as a result of a collision with Delhi Dynamos defender John Arne Riise, was replaced by Sanchez Watt at the break.

The former Arsenal striker did try to create a few chances for his team but remained unsuccessful.

It was a close shave for Peter Taylor's men when Marcus Williams mistakenly hit the bar of his own goalpost from a dos Santos touch in the 67th minute.

Gadze, who came on for dos Santos, too, had his first jab at the opponent post within the first few minutes of his arrival.

He went on to strike gold in the 86th minute when Malouda's timely cross was headed in by the Ghanaian.

This was his second goal of the league.

Kerala tried netting one in the 90th minute with Vineeth's fiery lob aimed at the rival team's post but Goalie Toni Doblas' solid effort helped keep the scoreline in the Lions' favour.

Comment