ISL: Delhi Dynamos dismantle Chennaiyin 4-1
Delhi Dynamos sauntered to their first win in the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) with a 4-1 win over a sedate Chennaiy
Two points from consecutive draws in their opening matches and yet winless -- the Alessandro Del Piero-led Dynamos were yearning for a win, especially playing at home.
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Some brilliant offensive play backed by a strong defence helped Delhi move to fourth in the table with five points.
Belgian Wim Raymaekers (1st minute), Mads Junker of Denmark (21st), Spaniard Bruno Herrero Arias (79th) and Brazil youngster Gustavo Marmentini dos Santos (93rd) were the goal scorers for the hosts while Brazilian star Elano (69th) scored the consolation for Chennaiyin.
Indian winger Steven Dias put in an impressive performance on the right for Delhi and clearly was the standout of the match from the domestic pool.
Dutchman Hans Mulder and Arias forged a lethal midfield partnership. The duo blitzed the Chennaiyin team with some defence splitting passes and the key benefactor of this was Dias, who more often than not found himself at the end of mouth watering chip passes.
Delhi's marquee player - Italian world cupper Del Piero - again looked short of fitness and lacking in ideas. He did manage to hold the ball up but more will be expected from a star like him.
Chennayin, meanwhile, found the going hard. Their attacking play lacked bite and just wasn't good enough to break the Delhi wall down.
The visitors also lacked in intensity and were outrun and outclassed by a Delhi team that covered every inch of the grass at the JLN stadium.
Raymaekers opened the scoring for the hosts in the very first minute.
Chennaiyin were caught napping following a Del Piero corner kick, and after a short pass from inside the box, the Belgian unleashed a left-foot curler to give the opposition goalie no chance.
Junker doubled Delhi's lead in the 21st minute with a clinical diving header from a pinpoint Dias cross from the right wing.
The Dynamos bossed the half easily, making inroads into the opposition half at will.
Playing three defenders at the back with Mikael Silvestre - 37 years - calling the shots, the Chennaiyin team was caught out by the speed of the opposition more than once.
In the second half, Elana with a sumptuous free-kick did manage to pull one back for Chennaiyin but it just wasn't enough.
Herrero's penalty in the 79th minute put the result beyond any doubt and a scorching solo effort from Dos Santos in the 93rd minute put the glitter on a fine performance by the home side.
Chennaiyin are still third with six points but will have to be wary of Delhi who are just a point behind.
