We're done and dusted with this, but we quickly move on to the next. Tomorrow, ATK face off at home against NorthEast United FC in what should be a good contest. The action begins at 1930 IST, do tune in for that. Cheers!
Awards
The Club Award is shared by both teams as the game ended in a draw. The Limitless Player of the Match is handed over to Ashique Kuruniyan for his good attacking display. While the Winning Pass of the Match is awarded to Emiliano Alfaro for his assist to Diego Carlos, Ashique Kuruniyan is the Emerging Player. And lastly, the Hero of the Match is Rana Gharami.
Full Time
A fitting result in the end, all things considered. Both sides had their moments, gave it their all and scored a goal each either side of the break. Pune City started the game well but Delhi slowly grew into it. Scored a superb goal via Rana Gharami and then continued with the momentum in the second half. Looked like they would win it, but Pune suddenly produced a brilliant moment and substitute Diego Carlos got the tourists back on level terms. The Dynamos had a few more chances after that, but the two keepers, especially Vishal Kaith, made some superb saves and ensured no further damage was done.
90'
Final whistle blown
That Delhi chance was the last one of the game. The scoreline remains 1-1 and the points are shared.
90'
Great save from Vishal Kaith
Delhi could have won this. Was a great chance for them, but Kaith keeps Pune in this. Rene Mihelic combines well with Chhangte and gets in a very good position. Kaith is off his line though to narrow the angle and saves the shot. It's still not over though, Sarangi at the edge of the box blasts it on goal but it hits Jonathan Vila on his hand. Loud shout for a hand ball, but it isn't given. It's stuck to his body, so a good call.
90'
Last roll of the dice
Andrija Kaludjerovic is off the field as Shubham Sarangi takes his place for the final few minutes.
3 minutes of additional time. 3 minutes for either time to win this game. Do we have something special in store for us?
88'
GOAL! 1-1!
Out of nowhere! Diego Carlos levels things up, completely against the run of play. Alfaro gets the ball inside the box from the left and he turns to skip past a defender. Cuts it back in to Carlos who takes a tight touch and goes ahead. Pokes it past the keeper, in the bottom right corner and brings his side back into this game. Can they go for the win now?
84'
Goal
Goal - FC Pune City : Diego Carlos
85'
Offside? Apparently not.
Dicey call, this. Going to be one worth a debate post-match. Chhangte bursts forward through the middle and plays it forward lightly. Kaludjerovic is ahead but he's offside. He doesn't do much to touch the ball but kind of blocks a defender off which allows Chhangte to continue with the run. He's through on goal, one-on-one with the keeper, but can't finish it as it's saved.
86'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Delhi Dynamos FC : Narayan Das
83'
Good delivery
Narayan Das stands over this free kick on the right. Whips it in towards the far post as Gianni Zuiverloon attacks the ball. Gets his outstretched foot on it, but it's too fast and too wide for him to control it back and direct it on goal. Nice effort though.
79'
What a save from Francisco Dorronsoro
Has kept his side in the lead. Marko Stankovic tries to cross it in from the left with the outside of his foot. It deflects off a defender and falls in Jonathan Vila's path. He puts his laces through this and fires it on goal, forcing a terrific save from Francisco.
78'
Pune with their final change
Rohit Kumar comes in and Adil Khan goes out.
78'
Substitution
Substitution - FC Pune City (In: Rohit Kumar, Out: Adil Khan)
78'
Delhi knocking on Pune's door
The past few minutes have seen the hosts have a series of decent chances. They are using the width well by attacking from the flanks. So far, the Pune defense and the keeper have kept them at bay. But for how long?
74'
Slight halt in play
Goal-scorer Rana Gharami is down on the ground. While in an aerial tussle with Emiliano Alfaro, the latter stamped on the former's foot while coming down. The physio is out to check on him, seems he'll be fine to continue.
69'
Double change for FC Pune City
Martin Diaz and Jakob Vanlalhlimpuia go out for Gurtej Singh and Diego Carlos.
69'
Substitution
Substitution - FC Pune City (In: Diego Carlos, Out: Diego Oliveira)
69'
Substitution
Substitution - FC Pune City (In: Gurtej Singh, Out: Gurtej Singh)
68'
First change of the game
And Delhi Dynamos make it. Romeo Fernandes enters the field as he replaces Nandhakumar Sekar.
67'
That could have sealed the game for Delhi
What a chance! What a chance. Gianni Zuiverloon chips it over the Pune backline as skipper Pritam Kotal times his run to perfection. He runs in at the byline inside the box and cuts is back into Andrija Kaludjerovic's direction. He practically has an open goal in front of him, but scuffs it horribly as it goes well wide of the goal.
On one end, Pune were almost in behind the Delhi defense but were offside. And now, the hosts attack on the counter at the other end. Chhangte's low cross was blocked and deflected to the keeper.
59'
Pune City trying...
The visiting side still seems a bit rocked by that goal in the first half. Although, they are attempting to get in behind the Delhi defense. Their most recent effort saw Francisco Dorronsoro come off his line, charge out of the box and clear the ball away.
54'
Positive start to the half
Delhi Dynamos have carried the momentum from that Gharami wonder strike and are seeing a lot of the ball in these opening minutes of the second half. A couple of decent chances have resulted, but they're constantly trying for more.
48'
Good try!
Rene Mihelic tries to be cheeky. He looks to catch the goalkeeper off guard and tries to curl it in from the corner. However, it goes over the crossbar.
46'
Second half!
We are all set for the final 45 minutes of this game. FC Pune City get us underway by passing the ball backwards.
Half Time
No goal came and Delhi Dynamos hold on to their 1-goal lead. A rather eventful half if you look at it. Pune City dominated proceedings for the most part, but chances did fall on both ends. You could even say the best chance came to the hosts in the 20th minute where a last-ditch tackle from Martin Diaz saved the touring team. Pune City were on the charge again, but suddenly, out of nowhere, Rana Gharami scored an absolute screamer from long range on his ISL debut and put his side in the lead just before the break. Pune need to sort their midfield out. They haven't been able to set the tempo or do anything of note for all the possession they've had. Something needs to change in the second 45. Join us for all the action shortly.
45'
Added Time
2 minutes of stoppage time signalled. Can Pune equalize before the interval?
44'
GOOOOLLLAAAZZZZZOOOOO!!!!!!
First goal, on his ISL debut, and what a strike! Take a bow, Rana Gharami! What a hit, son! He gets the ball, turns and with almost 40 yards out, nobody pressing him, he decides to go for goal. Lines it up and blasts it into the top right corner, leaving the keeper no chance of stopping it. It was so good that Vishal Kaith didn't move an inch. A goal against the run of play for Delhi and it's come at the stroke of the break.
44'
Goal
Goal - Delhi Dynamos FC : Rana Gharami
39'
Midfield problems for FC Pune City
It isn't able to gather any sort of rhythm as it keeps losing the ball or plays the penetrating pass too early. Alfaro looks quite isolated and he's had to feed off scraps so far in this half.
36'
Forced change for the home side
Bad news for Delhi Dynamos. Unfortunately, Bikramjit Singh will have to be taken off as he seems to have pulled his groin. Vinit Rai will take his place.
Andrija Kaludjerovic pushes forward on the right and floats in a cross towards Gianni Zuiverloon. But, Mills intervenes with a brave headed clearance and sees the danger out.
24'
A lot of corners
6th of the game so far for the visitors. Though, none have troubled the boys from the capital. Need to do better with the set-pieces.
22'
Decent chance for Pune City
Emiliano Alfaro is on the end of a diagonal on the left outside the box. He cuts in, gets it on his left and shoots, only to have his shot blocked out for a corner.
20'
Glorious chance for Delhi Dynamos
They've missed, courtesy some good defending from Martin Diaz. Chhangte skips past his man on the left wing and makes his way in the along the byline. Crosses it in towards Andrija Kaludjerovic, but Diaz just sticks his leg out to deflect it away. Nandhakumar Sekar gets on the end of the second ball, cuts it on his left and shoots, but it's over the crossbar.
17'
Delhi have their first shot on target
Difficult from there to go in, but good intent shown. Narayan Das wriggles his way into the box from the left, finds a bit of room, so he blasts it low at the near post. Vishal Kaith, however, positions himself well and saves it.
13'
Another Pune attack
Once again it's down the left wing. Ashique Kuruniyan once again finds himself with space on the left as he skips past a defender. Drills it in towards Alfaro but the Pune City skipper is surrounded by 3 Delhi defenders. Rana Gharami eventually is the one who clears it away.
8'
Scrappy start
Both teams look a bit scruffy in possession, though Pune City are seemingly doing slightly better than the home side. First game of the season, maybe just getting into the groove of things.
4'
Great chance for Pune City
Fanai with a good ball down the line on the left flank as he sends Ashique Kuruniyan through. He takes it on his left and drills in a low ball towards Alfaro. The forward attacks but can't get to the ball in time. The ball rolls away from danger and the Dynamos survive for now.
1'
Kick off
Delhi Dynamos get things underway with a simple pass behind. They can't keep it amongst themselves though as Pune City steal the ball quickly and go on the attack. Let's football!
Toss
FC Pune City win the toss and will attack from right to left in the first half.
National Anthem
The two teams in questions, along with the match officials, have walked out onto the field for the Indian national anthem.
FC Pune City subs
Kamaljit Singh (GK), Rohit Kumar, Diego Carlos, Robin Singh, Gurtej Singh, Sahil Panwar, Sarthak Golui.
FC Pune City XI
Vishal Kaith (GK), Nim Dorjee Tamang, Matt Mills, Adil Khan, Jonathan Vila, Emiliano Alfaro (C), Marko Stankovic, Martin Diaz, Ashique Kuruniyan, Jakob Vanlalhlimpuia, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai.
Players like Rohit Kumar, Sarthak Golui, Ashique Kuruniyan, Vishal Kaith and Sahil Tanwarwere were all an integral part of the FC Pune City setup last season and they all impressed. The two full backs put in superb all-round displays, being strong in defense and contributing to the attack as well. Sarthak Golui even had 3 assists and scored 1 goal too. Also had 22 crosses last season (only Diego Carlos and Marcelinho had more). Rohit Kumar played 14 matches mainly as defensive midfielder but still had 2 goals last season along with 26 tackles, 12 interceptions, 12 clearances and 9 blocks. Gaining some experience from the 2017/18 season, they can apply that and help the team do much better this time.
Welcome!
Match 5 will see Delhi Dynamos and Pune City battle it out in their season opener. The hosts tonight hold the edge over their opponents, with 4 wins in 8 matches, while Pune City have just the 1. The season may be long, but there are a lot of twists and turns along the way, so a good start should never be underestimated. Plus, football is all about momentum. So three points tonight could very well go a long way, in terms of psychological advantage as well. Delhi in particular, would want that, as in their last campaign, after beating Pune in the tournament opener, they went on to lose 6 in a row. They would like to change that this time around, of course. But will they be able to? Remains to be seen.