ISL: Chhangte excels in Delhi Dynamos win

Delhi Dynamos went three goals up via a stunning Matias Mirabaje goal before FC Pune City hit back with goals from Emiliano Alfaro and Marcos Tebar to go down fighting.

Paulinho Dias (C) scored the first goal for Delhi Dynamos against FC Pune City.

Rising Indian star Lallianzuala Chhangte grabbed the limelight in Delhi Dynamos win over Pune City FC in Indian Super League. He set up the first goal for Brazilian teammate Paulinho Dias and netted the second at the Balewadi stadium here on Wednesday.

MATCH CENTRE

Delhi Dynamos went three goals up via a stunning Matias Mirabaje goal before FC Pune City hit back with goals from Emiliano Alfaro and Marcos Tebar to go down fighting. Time ran out on FCPC to give the visitor a thrilling 3-2 win in their opener.

After a goalless first half, Chhangte helped Dynamos break the deadlock with a pinpoint cross from the left flank for Paulinho to head home strongly.

The 20-year-old Mizo from the DSK Shivajians-Liverpool FC Academy, displayed pace and touch next time he got the ball, bounding upfront and chipping past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Two Uruguayans swung into action, first Matias for the visitor with the best goal of the night. He shifted the ball from right to left foot and picked his spot in the net with a looping shot into the roof. Kamaljit in goal was helpless by the angle of the shot. FCPC’s main striker Alfaro pulled one goal back for the home team, a left footer which burst through defenders' legs low into the corner.

Lallianzuala Chhangte scored and assisted in Delhi Dynamos' win.

DD coach Miguel Portugal handed captaincy to striker Kalu Uche. The Nigerian is a former FCPC player and is a familiar face at Balewadi. Pune coach Ranko Popovic put Alfaro up front as the sole striker, and Marcelino - last season’s leading scorer - close by to take advantage of a distracted defence.

Both sides hit the ground running in the opening game, long balls hit into the goalmouth and defenders launching into firm tackles. Dynamos' goal came under pressure and custodian Albino dealt with a Marcos Tebar header with ease, diving sideways to grab the ball in the air.

After the initial flurry of attacks at both ends in the first half, probing passes were few as both teams concentrated on keeping possession. The visitor struck two minutes after resumption, setting the pace for a blistering second half. Tebar’s goal, FCPC’s second, came in extended time as the home team fought back from 0-3 down to end the game with a narrow 2-3 loss.