Delhi Dynamos, high on adrenalin after a shock win over Bengaluru FC, carried the mood and momentum against FC Pune City to win 3-1 on the back of three superb strikes in their ISL match at the Balewadi Stadium on Sunday.
The home team drew level 1-1 but felt short in finishing against goalkeeper Francisco Dorronsoro. The visitors remained eighth after their fourth win in 17 games and Pune stayed seventh.
Lalhianzuala Chhangte fired a first-time volley into the roof of the net for the first goal and Daniel Lalhimpuia swept home the third goal on the rebound before goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh had time to react after blocking the first attempt by Ulises Davila from close. Romeo Fernandes, the provider for the first goal, got his name on the scoresheet with a looping right-footer from way out on the right flank.
Two opportunistic efforts stood out in a pacy first half. The visitors went ahead through a stunning finish by Chhangte in the goalmouth, deflecting home a precise cross on the run by Fernandes from the right flank. The curling ball escaped the defenders rushing back into position, the pocket-sized striker slipped into position and volleyed high and home in the 17th minute.
Nikhil’s scorcher
Pune’s equaliser happened out of the blue as Nikhil Poojary weaved his way in from the right of the midfield. As if trying to spot a teammate to pass the ball, the midfielder produced a thundering long-ranger with his left foot and Dorrosorro, not expecting the outrageous attempt from so far out, just witnessed the ball curl into the net.
Kamaljit, guarding the goal for Pune, had no time to react either when the ball flew across him the first time Delhi scored. He was beaten by the angle of the ball when Dynamos again to take the lead. Dorrosoro, in the rival goal, did well to parry a fierce low shot to the near post by Marcelinho, hit through a maze of legs.
Pune, missing the services of midfielder Adil Khan, Diego Carlos and Marko Stankovic due to various reasons, had to replace international Ashique Kuruniyan in the first half after the player clashed with a rival.
Marcelinho got sent off after collecting a second yellow card in the closing stages for a foul on the rival goalkeeper, leading to a charge at the Brazilian by Martin Diaz who was also yellow-carded.
The result: Delhi Dynamos FC 3 (Lallianquala Chhangte 17, Romeo Fernandes 30, Daniel Lalhimpuia 53) bt FC Pune City 1 (Nikhil Poojary 23).