Out of nowhere, Delhi Dynamos have suddenly become one team with a strong possibility for a place in the semifinals. With a couple of wins over the last few days, DD have created a chance for themselves and come into the reckoning in the hero Indian Super League. Pune, however, had a bad game after the moral boosting 2-0 win against Mumbai. They brought disappointment for their home supporters at Pune’s Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex. With an away game left against Kerala Blasters at Kochi on November 9, Pune will have to pull out all plugs if they are serious about their place in the last four. On the same day, Delhi Dynamos also play their last league game but they will need to get past table toppers Chennaiyin FC at Chennai. It is going to be a tough order but one never knows until the game is played out to the last whistle. The Indian Super League has reached the business end with just a few games remaining in the league phase. Chennai and Goa have already booked their semifinal berths and the battle for the last two slots revolves around Atletico de Kolkata, Pune, Kerala Blasters and Delhi. Northeast United and Mumbai City FC have almost signed off from the League and only a miracle can bring them back into contention. Such back-door-sneaking-in possibilities cannot be ruled out because teams can benefit from poor performances from others.
Delhi Dynamos brought Bruno Arias and Shylo Malsawmtluanga in the starting line-up in the places of Souvik Chakraborty and Henrique Dinis while FC Pune City preferred to play with the same side that beat Mumbai City FC. The match began with DD going into the attacking mode and Pune retaliating in turn. In the 6th minute, Pune’s Dudu was picked up the line referee for being off side and 10 minutes later Lenny, earned his second consecutive yellow card to be ruled out of the next match. The match continued on even keel for a while as players on either side losing ball possession early. DD’s Dos Santos was shown a yellow card for handling the ball in the 32nd minute and one minute later, it was the turn of Pune goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya, who was yellow-carded for wasting the time. Pune went into attacking mode in the 37th minute but Delhi’s goalkeeper Van Hout made two good saves within a minute. The teams went for the break with the score line reading 0-0.
2nd half of FC Pune City vs Delhi Dynamos FC gets underway.54′ – SAVE! Pune goalkeeper Arindam makes a brilliant save to deny Delhi the much needed goal60′ – It is still 0-0 after an hour of intense contest68′ – Delhi Dynamos striker Mulder’s strike goes just wide of the goal70′ – Substitution! Del Piero replaces Shylo for Delhi Dynamos77′ – Substitution! Saidou replaces Park for FC Pune City80′ – Delhi Dynamos lead the ‘Attack Index’ slightly in the second period of 2nd half (61-75 minutes) by 51% to 49% 88′ – Dos Santos scores a brilliant individual goal to give a big boost to Delhi Dynamos’ semifinal chances89′ – Hero of the Match – Dos Santos of Delhi Dynamos. 90′ – 4 minutes added as stoppage time 90’+4 – Delhi Dynamos FC beat FC Pune City 1-0 to climb to 4th spot in ISL standings
