Agencies
GUWAHATI, NOVEMBER 28
NorthEast United FC lost 1-2 against Delhi Dynamos in an Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. Robin Singh (30’) opened the scoring before Seityasen Singh (37’) restored parity soon after. However, second half substitute Gustavo dos Santos (88’) grabbed a late winner to seal the points for the away side.
Cesar Farias and Roberto Carlos went into the match with three changes apiece for their respective sides. Seityasen Singh, Victor Mendy and Diomansy Kamara were included in the first eleven by Farias. Hans Mulder, Sehnaj Singh and Richard Gadze came in for Adil Nabi, Seiminlen Doungel and John Arne Riise for the visitors in a 4-4-2 diamond.
A mistimed tackle on Diomansy Kamara by Souvik Chakrabarti saw the latter come off worse from the challenge and had to be stretchered off. Seminlen Doungel was introduced with Sehnaj moving to the right-back position.
The first chance of the match came for Delhi in the 14th minute as Gadze chested the ball down to deliver it straight to Robin Singh. The India international took a shot which was effortlessly saved.A minute later, the home side were on the attack as Lopez gave a through ball to Victor Mendy on the left. The Senegalese went past his marker to pass horizontally to Hengbart who shot it wide from the target. Hengbart presented Victor Mendy an opportunity but Doblas took care of the shot which took a deflection off Anas.
The deadlock was broken right at the half an hour mark. Florent Malouda’s left footed free-kick was punched away by Rehenesh. The ball found Richard Gadze after multiple aerial passes who headed it to Robin Singh. He toe-poked into the net past Rehenesh to give Dynamos the lead.
NorthEast United were on the offensive after that setback. Seityasen’s cross from the right found Simao who was off balance as he took the shot which was kept away by Doblas.
Seityasen Singh restored parity for the home side in the 37th minute as a goal-kick from Rehenesh found the Manipuri winger. Zodingliana Ralte miss-clearance was picked up by Seityasen and his left footed effort beat Doblas in goal.
Both teams walked off the pitch with one goal apiece in the first period of the game.
Ten minutes into the second half and three Delhi players picked up a booking. In the 58th minute, Seityasen was through on goal after Simao played him through. However, Sehnaj closed him down and fouled him on the edge of the box but the referee wasn’t interested.
After the hour mark, Gustavo Dos Santos tested Rehenesh from distance but his left footed drive was parried away.
NorthEast won a string of corners but failed to test Doblas in goal. The play was restricted in the middle of the park with miss-passes being the trend.
The visitors grabbed a late winner in the 88th minute as a long range solo effort from Gustavo dos Santos found the back of the net.
Delhi Dynamos grabbed all three points to book their berth in the semis. NorthEast United need to win their final home game against FC Pune City in four days time and hope that other results go in their favour.
