Super-sub Simao’s brilliant free-kick gives NorthEast a point

Delhi Dynamos FC shared the spoils with NorthEast United FC after a thoroughly entertaining 1-1 draw in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Richard Gadze put the Lions ahead in the first period before substitute Simao Sabrosa equalized in stunning fashion to earn his side a deserved point.

The match got off to a fast and furious start with the away side having the first shot of the game. Sanju Pradhan cut in from Delhi’s left and tried to curl in an effort from the outside of his foot, which was just wide of the goal, much to the relief of Delhi’s diving keeper Antonio Doblas.

Delhi were on the back foot minutes later again. This time it was a combination of winger Seityasen Singh and striker Francis Dadzie that troubled Delhi. The Ghanaian just failed to keep his header down and on target after a superb cross from Seityasen.

It was Diomansy Kamara who was next in line to have a go at goal. The Frenchman came closest to scoring a goal for the Highlanders early on when he headed against the post from a corner as visitors continued to dominate proceedings in the early exchanges.

Delhi finally started seeing more of the ball around the 22nd-minute mark with Gadze making a brilliant run from the half-way line which could have easily led to the game’s opener had Delhi flooded more men into the box to meet Gadze’s cross from the right.

The hosts had their first shot on target five minutes later when Florent Malouda’s volley flew straight into the arms of a perfectly positioned TP Rehenesh in goal. They were inches wide half an hour into the game with Francis Fernandes running onto a ball inside NorthEast’s penalty box only to fire his effort into the stands.

But the Highlanders weren’t about to let up on their own attacking game just yet. Delhi keeper Doblas was called into action twice in quick succession, having to save a Pradhan shot initially before parrying away a Dadzie shot from close range on the rebound.

The Lions though made NorthEast pay for throwing caution to the wind in the 37th minute. Gadze, who had looked lively all night, was quick to pounce on a through ball from a Dynamo counter-attack and convert with his left foot to put Delhi up 1-0 against the run of play as the Highlanders went into the break disappointed not to get a goal of their own.

NorthEast United FC started the second half in the same vein they began the first – on the front foot. They hit the crossbar once again in the 58th minute when a Silas free-kick clipped the Delhi woodwork. Dadzie was next to strike Delhi’s post with a left-footed shot four minutes later as the Dynamos somehow managed to keep their lead.

The Highlanders were finally rewarded for all their attacking endeavour in the 72nd minute. NorthEast received a free-kick just outside Delhi’s penalty box. Head coach Cesar Farias seized the moment by introducing marquee player Simao Sabrosa into the game to make the most their dead-ball opportunity. Sabrosa calmly stepped up and curled the ball into the net for Hero ISL 2015’s first goal from a free-kick, with what was his first touch of the ball in the match.

NorthEast’s goal set up the game perfectly for the closing 15 minutes of the game with both sides attacking relentlessly in search of an equalizer. The game started getting increasingly stretched in the final five minutes of normal time as both set of defenders started to tire.

The home side started falling deeper and deeper into their own half giving stiff resistance to continuous waves of NorthEast attacks. However, the Dynamos managed to hold firm and see out three minutes of additional time as the game ended at 1-1.

Delhi remain second on the table with FC Pune City ahead on goal difference while NorthEast are two points ahead of Kerala Blasters FC who are languishing at the bottom with five points from seven matches.

Match awards:

Club Award: Shared by Delhi Dynamos FC and NorthEast United FC

Amul Fittest Player of the Match: Anas Edathodika (Delhi Dynamos FC)

Swift Moment of the Match: Richard Gadze (Delhi Dynamos FC) (Watch here)

Hewlett-Packard Transformer of the Match: Simao Sabrosa (NorthEast United FC) (Watch here)

ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Seityasen Singh (NorthEast United FC)

Hero of the Match: John Arne Riise (Delhi Dynamos FC)

Farias: Important “away point” for us

NorthEast United FC put up a brave performance at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday evening and held high-flying Delhi Dynamos FC to a 1-1 draw in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Highlanders coach Cesar Farias, speaking at the post-match press conference, was content with taking one point from the “away” match.

“It’s a very important point for us. Over time you get points away, it’s good. Especially since it was a tough game. In the north-east, it is [mostly] in tough conditions. We have to live with that every day. Our players are also young, local boys. And usually there is a phase in the tournament where the team skyrockets, as long as you work for that and there is a sequence in the game. We have performed better in the past but also lost those games, so it’s good that we have got a good point today,” the Venezuelan told reporters.

“And of course, after you lose a game like that [5-1 vs Mumbai City FC], it’s difficult to see positives. There were two penalties in the game…But the whole time we were taking the initiative, just like today. The goal scored and chances created today were just counter-attacks, not when they had the ball and created opportunities.

“Analysis depends on how you see it. For us, it is a tremendous point. It is one which gives us the edge, [provides opportunity] to skyrocket. And one of the most important things is that it is difficult to forget the wins or losses and move on to the next one. It is painful we lost two points especially when you played better than the other team. But in soccer, you have to put up [with that].”

With seven points from seven matches, NorthEast now travel to Kolkata on Saturday to play defending champions Atlético de Kolkata at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Carlos happy to join Pune on 13 points

Delhi Dynamos FC marquee player-cum-coach Roberto Carlos cut a satisfied figure following his team’s 1-1 draw at home against NorthEast United FC in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League on Tuesday evening. Hosts Delhi were in the driver’s seat at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium when Richard Gadze scored the match’s first goal in the first half but Simao Sabrosa’s magical free-kick in the second half cancelled out the Ghanaian’s effort.

Carlos, whose team went level with FC Pune City at the top on 13 points, wasn’t unduly worried at the post-match press conference.

“NorthEast has some good players and we are still on top of the table which is very important,” he told reporters.

Also, for the first time this season the legendary Brazilian started for his side. On his outing, he said: “I’ve gone so long without playing. I feel good. If I were only a player and not a coach, obviously my psyche would be different. But now if I play more often I can be better.”

When asked did Delhi miss Carlos the coach and his tactics on Tuesday, he said: “Today was a different responsibility. We suffered a little at the start but when I am on the pitch, it is easier for me to lead.”

Among all eight teams in the league, Delhi have scored the least number of goals (six). When asked was that a matter of concern for him, he replied in the negative. “No not worrying about that. Sometimes your offensive part will score more, sometimes won’t. Today we have the same amount of points as the team [FC Pune City] in the first place [ahead on goal difference],” he said.

Carlos also made it clear that he wasn’t very big on the idea of squad rotation. “I will only change if required. In Brazil we don’t change when we’re winning. Obviously when the players are performing well in training, they will have a chance to play. They should use their opportunity to perform... They can work hard to perform and get in the starting 11,” he said.