ISL: Delhi, Chennaiyin play out goalless draw

The goalless draw left both the teams without a win in four matches.

Andrija Kaludjerovic of Delhi Dynamos (right) in action during an ISL game against Chennaiyin FC.

Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC played out an insipid draw to leave the 3000-odd spectators disappointed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday. The goalless draw left both the teams without a win in four matches.

The teams tested each other in the initial stages and the contest warmed up with Thoi Singh at the centre of the CFC attack. Thoi curled the ball in and Eli Sabia met the floater with a firm header only to see goalkeeper Francisco Dorronsoro come up with a neat save. It was the closest CFC came to scoring in the first quarter of the match.

Thoi Singh’s electrifying runs kept the Dynamos defence busy but he lacked support on the right flank. With five men packing the defence the home team left little room for CFC. Eli Sabia worked hard to create scoring spaces but failed to give the desired finishing touch.

Most of CFC’s moves began deep from its defence. The towering figure of Raphael Augusto was a constant threat to Dynamos, which was also hustled by the roving midfielder Andrea Orlandi.

Delhi Dynamos 0-0 Chennaiyin FC: Key highlights

Dynamos had some moments of dominance but not a goal-bearing foray. The CFC goalkeeper, Karanjit Sngh, was hardly stretched by the Dynamos until the 30th minute when Inigo Calderon cleared the ball in time in front of the goal. Had Inigo erred, Andrija Kaludjerovic would have hurt CFC. Kaludjerovic almost scored a while later but his header found the goalkeeper. The barren first half only reflected on lack of ideas among the strikers in both the camps.

Kaludjerovic gave way to Adria Carmona on resumption as Dynamos looked to bag its first win in four matches. The best opportunity of the match came 20 minutes from close when CFC triggered a counter attack. A pass by Thoi Singh set up Carlos Salom, who shockingly messed it up by hitting straight to the goalkeeper, who was up against three CFC strikers. Salom could not have asked for a simpler opportunity even as Dynamos experienced a collective relief at the escape.