ISL 2018: Daniel Lalhlimpuia wins it for Dynamos

Delhi Dynamos claimed a remarkable 3-2 win over Bengaluru FC to extend its unbeaten run to five games.

Delhi Dynamos players engage in a training session ahead of their clash against Bengaluru FC.

Welcome to Sportstar's live blog of the Indian Super League clash between Delhi Dynamos and Bengaluru FC.

 

Preview:

Bengaluru FC will be keen to put its recent disappointing run of form behind when it takes on laggards Delhi Dynamos here on Sunday. BFC became the first team to qualify for the Indian Super League play-offs thanks to FC Pune City's 4-1 defeat of Jamshedpur FC.

The Blues have taken their foot off the accelerator following the winter break and have stumbled a bit. They have just one win in the last four matches and are coming off a 1-2 reverse against Chennaiyin FC.

Read: Pune City delivers Jamshedpur’s chances a hammer blow

BFC has not started matches well and found itself trailing at half-time in its last two games before rallying in the second half.

Coach Carles Cuadrat has been testing his bench strength by resting regulars and affording game time to his fringe players. Dimas Delgado, Udanta Singh, Albert Serran were all rested in Chennai last time out.

With play-offs approaching, Spanish coach may continue his tinkering against Delhi Dynamos as well.

“Of course, there are always problems on the pitch. You have to rotate the team. Our position on the table, gives us the privilege to make some changes and afford some mistakes. We are lucky in that regard,” said Cuadrat.

Cuadrat has rotated his starting XI in the last few matches with the playoffs in mind.

 

Delhi Dynamos will be out to gain a measure of revenge and finish the season on a high after being knocked out of the play-off race. The host is placed ninth but that would not stop it from claiming the prize scalp of Bengaluru.

The last time these two teams met in Bengaluru, Josep Gombau’s side was unfortunate to end up with nothing in the bag after Udanta Singh popped up with a late winner.

Delhi Dynamos would be eager to make the most of its recent upturn in form and beat Bengaluru. The capital side is unbeaten in its last four ISL outings (2 wins and 2 draws). Its defence has notably improved with the team conceding just two goals apart from managing to keep a clean-sheet against an attack-heavy FC Goa.

“They (Bengaluru) are top of the table and have very good quality players. It will be a tough game for us like every single team in the ISL which plays against Bengaluru,” Gombau said.

“I think we are doing quite well in the last four games where we have two draws and two wins. I think that the team is performing very well and we want to put on a good show (on Sunday) too since it is our last home game,” he said.

Lallianzuala Chhangte, who is back after a short stint with Norwegian outfit Viking FK, is expected to feature as Delhi looks to end its home season in the ISL with a positive result.