Misfiring Delhi slump to Mumbai

Delhi Dynamos missed chances galore to suffer their second defeat of this season's Indian Super League, going down 0-2 to Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday.

Goals from striker Modou Sougou and Arnold Issoko handed the hosts all three points.

Delhi started the game on a dominating note, holding majority of the possession. The visitors created the first chance in the third minute itself with Chhangte’s deflected cross reaching Romeo, but his shot went over the crossbar.

Delhi came close to scoring again the 12th minute when Andrija Kaluderovic took a great shot at the post from the left, but the ball was safely palmed away by Mumbai’s custodian Ravi Kumar.

Mumbai drew first blood right at the half-hour mark when Senegalese international Sougou beat Marti Crespi and Dorronsoro off an Arnold cross.

The visitors had another chance to score and equalise in injury time of the first half, with all three players up front for Dynamos charging for the ball. But the attack just did not materialise.

The first half ended with the home side leading 1-0.

The second half started with Gombau bringing in Bikramjit Singh in place of Vinit Rai. But soon a penalty was awarded against Delhi for a challenge on Arnold Issoko by Rana Gharami. It was a dubious decision by the referee as TV replays showed no solid contact. But luckily for Delhi, Rafael Bastos hit the shot wide.

Dynamos had two quick chances between the 60th and the 61st minute when a dangerous cross by Chhangte reached Kaluderovic, but only for him to hit wide. In the second attack within a minute, the Serbian striker curled one in from the right, but the ball hit the crossbar.

The visitors’ best chance of the game came midway into the second half when Chhangte’s curling effort from inside the box was acrobatically saved by Kumar.

Dynamos continued to press forward in search of an equaliser with Bikramjit, Rene and Kaluderovic in the thick of things.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Gombau went all out, sending in Adria Carmona and Daniel Lahlimpuia. Carmona almost had an instant impact but his shot from close range was well held by Kumar in the Mumbai goal.

Then against the run-of-play Mumbai scored their all-important second goal. Issoko rounded off Dorronsoro in Delhi goal and slotted in to double the hosts’ advantage.

Towards the dying moments of the match, Delhi created a plethora of changes. But Mumbai custodian Kumar denied the visitors again.

The Dynamos now host NorthEast United at home on October 30.