Delhi Dynamos shock Bengaluru FC to keep their hopes alive

Goals from Lallianzuala Chhangte and Guyon Fernandez gave the Lions a much need boost.

The fourth edition of the Indian Super League continues to throw up surprises. If NorthEast United FC upset high-flying FC Goa’s calculations with a victory at home after a string of losses, bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos FC did even better as they registered a stunning 2-0 victory over Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Sunday.

What was expected to be a mere formality for Bengaluru FC to pick up three points and return to the top of the table turned out to be Delhi’s most prized victory in this edition. A victory that keeps them alive in the league and gives them the confidence that they can put it across any of their rivals. 

After a barren first session, goals from Lallianzuala Chhangte (72nd minute) and Guyon Fernandez (90+6) gave Delhi Dynamos a much need boost. Chhangte was superb on the night while Fernandez helped seal the win for Delhi with a late penalty. 

 

Watch: Delhi Dynamos 2-0 Bengaluru FC highlights

Delhi started the game on the front foot putting the visitors under pressure straight from kick off. But the first big chance of the game came Bengaluru FC way. Dimas Delgado’s defence-splitting pass in the 18th minute found left back Harmanjot Khabra through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat. But Khabra's shot was too close to Delhi goalkeeper Arnab Das Sharma who made the save rushing off his goal line.

Ten minutes later Delhi Dynamos could have opened the scoring. Jeroen Lumu found Chhangte with a delicate through ball inside the box but Delhi's star winger dragged his shot just wide of the target.

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In the second half, both sides continued to create chances but without an end product to it. Sharma was again called into action in the 50th minute, the Delhi goalkeeper doing well to keep out a deflected Sunil Chhetri free-kick. 

Chhangte was at the heart of everything Delhi created. At the hour mark, Jerome Lumu should have given the home side the lead after Chhnagte's square pass gave him a clear opportunity to hit the target but his shot didn't even force a save from the Bengaluru FC goalkeeper.

It looked Delhi were again going to be unlucky on a night where they outplayed their opponents for much of the game. Chhangte, though, had other ideas. In the 72nd minute, he finally broke the deadlock after some quick passing with Pritam Kotal gave him an opening to nudge the ball home.

Bengaluru had great chance to level things up late on. In the 87th minute, John Johnson found himself unmarked in the opponents box from a free kick close to the corner but his header came straight to Sharma who held on to the ball 

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There was more drama at the end. In the dying minutes of added time, Delhi were awarded a penalty for a foul on Guyon Fernandez by Subhasish Bose, who was shown a direct red card. Fernadez got up and converted the spot kick to give Delhi a famous victory.