Uche strike sees Delhi edge NorthEast United in basement battle

The striker scored the only goal of the game late in the second half.

A late strike from Kalu Uche gave Delhi Dynamos FC a solitary goal win over NorthEast United FC in a Hero Indian Super League clash at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday. The clash between the two teams placed at the bottom seemed headed for a draw but Uche, who was brought on by coach Miguel Angel Portugal's late in the second half, turned the tie in favour of the visitors with a headed goal from inside the box in the 87th minute.

Watch: NorthEast United 0-1 Delhi Dynamos highlights

Both sides had already dropped out of the race for a top four place and it showed on the field. Delhi dominated possession in the first half, but for all their passing, they failed to test the opposition goalkeeper. It took them till about an hour to get their first shot. NorthEast United, on the other hand, had chances but lacked quality in front of goal. In the first half, Seiminlen Doungel had the best chance of the game to open the scoring for but the midfielder lacked the necessary composure infront of goal.

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In the 20th minute, after being put through on goal by Reagan Singh with a clever ball inside the box, Doungel came up with a weak effort on goal when he could have actually taken a touch to give himself a better chance to beat Delhi goalkeeper Xabier Iruetaguena. In the second half, Delhi again had more of the ball but didn't seem to know what to do with it. NorthEast suffered a blow in the second half when their best player on the night Marcinho had to be taken off for what looked like a muscle injury. Then came the big moment in the game. After making a driving run down the right wing, Delhi Dynamos forward David Ngaihte crossed the ball in the box, and Uche was there between two NorthEast United centre backs to head the ball into the goal. There was little time left on the clock for NorthEast United to stage a comeback and Delhi finished the match with full points after holding former champions Chennaiyin FC 1-1 in the previous game. They will now head to Goa for a clash against FC Goa while NorthEast United FC face Kerala Blasters at home.