NEUFC stun hosts Delhi 2-0

A spirited performance by the NorthEast United at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here saw them getting their first victory of the season against the Delhi Dynamos on Saturday in Indian Super League.

Two goals in space of five minutes in the first half by Marcinho (17th minute) and Danilo Lopez (22 nd minute) was all that the Highlanders needed to seal the deal against the home side. Local boy Halicharan Narzary was the star of the match as he gave a tough night to Delhi defence with his mazy run. Delhi looked toothless on the night as star performers midfielder Mattias Mirabaje and left-back Sena Ralte were unavailable for the match due to injuries. To the surprise of many, DD's star of the first match, Lallianzuala Chhangte was dropped from the line-up by coach Miguel Angel Portugal.

Hungry for a win after losing their last match in Chennai, NorthEast started brighter of the two as they attacked with more intensity. The Dynamo, at the same time, struggled to find rhythm in their game as misplaced passes and lack of understanding were common occurance.

The first opportunity of the game arrived for NorthEast soon. In the sixth minute Narzary managed to beat DD's right-back Pritam Kotal and was free to provide a cross inside the box. But the low cross  was cleared to safety by centre-back Pratik Chowdhary. It was followed by couple of more attacks but wasn't dangerous enough to break the Delhi defence.

Beaming with confidence after a positive start, The Highlanders took control of the midfield and started string of attacks from left wing through Narzary.  Delhi struggled and found it difficult get out of their half as they badly missed those key absence in attack and midfield. NEUFC's persistence soon paid dividend as Marcinho opened their goal account for the first time this season. His perfect volley came off after receiving a perfect cross from Narzary.

Taking cue from the goal, NEUFC kept pushing for more and soon doubled their lead as DD keeper Albino Gomes was forced to lose the ball after high pressing from Danilo Lope, who then rolled the ball into empty net to make the scoreline 2-0 in 22nd minute.

The Highlanders soon dropped their ryhtm and settled backto defend in numbers. This allowed DD to play their own game and they started looking more confident after getting hold of the ball and soon had their first clear opportunity at the goal. Forward Zeroen Lumu, an active presence throughout the game for Porutgal's side, soon oversaw two opportunities from the right flank but his efforts fell short in front of alert defensive unit of NEUFC.

The intensity soon faded off and the match was rescinded to sporadic attacks from both the sides.

Delhi had a glorious chance to get back in the match in the 32nd minute when Lumu was fed with a long pass inside the box by Paulinho. But an extra touch by the Dutch, to find a better angle, cramped space for his shot and subsequently went out for corner.

The next best opportunity arrived for the home side ten minutes later, when Uche's sliding shot was parried away to safety by NorthEast shot-stopper TP Rehenesh.

The second half started the similar way the first half did. Narzary, with his familiar pacy runs from the wings, penetrated the Delhi defence at will in early minutes but nothing productive came of it.

Portugal, who sent in Delhi star Chhangte at the beginning of second half, decided use all his remaining substitutes.

The attack-minded substitution brought new life into Delhi's game as Chhangte and Nghaite dovetailed together and came close to find the first goal but Nghaite's shot on target was saved by Rehenesh again.

The string of attack kept flowing for the next five-seven minutes but DD kept missing the chances created from the wing.

Sensing danger, the Highlander's coach Joao de Deus decided to intervene the game with two back-to-back substitutes in Lalrindika Ralte and Gursimrat Gill and double marked the flank.

Delhi players were left frustrated after that as no clear cut chances came their way and were involved in brawls with their counterparts on couple of occasions, halting game for a while as few cards were shown.

Referee soon blew the final whistle after NorthEast had one last chance at goal through Lopez which was saved by alert Albino.