Delhi Dynamos FC hold Atlético de Kolkata to 1-1 draw

Delhi Dynamos FC ended the winning run of Atlético de Kolkata by holding them to a 1-1 draw at the Salt Lake Stadium here this evening. The Kolkata defence was finally breached after more than 250 minutes of football when Pavel Eliáš’ fantastic 73rd minute strike levelled the scores for Delhi Dynamos after the home side took a 48th minute lead through Jofre's penalty.
Atlético de Kolkata looked a little jaded in their third game in seven days while the visitors looked in the mood to take the game to their fancied rivals. Delhi’s marquee forward Alessandro Del Piero picked up a booking in only the 4th minute for simulation when a penalty looked very likely. Wim Raymaekers continued his good run from the previous game as he thwarted the Kolkata attack time and again. The closest Kolkata came to a goal was when Hans Mulder's back pass found its way to Ethiopian striker Fikru Teferra who got his shot in, only to be denied by Delhi goalkeeper Kristof Van Hout. At the other end, a brilliant long range effort from ‘Mama’ on 32 minutes saw the ball hit the cross bar with Kolkata custodian Subhasish Roy Chowdhury beaten all ends up.
Kolkata’s talismanic player Luis García was withdrawn at half time with a hamstring injury. But it was the home side who went on the attack and won the first penalty of the tournament after Fikru was brought down in the danger area by Raymaekers. Jofre stepped up to take it and sent Van Hout the wrong way with a perfect placement to the bottom right corner.
Against the run of play, a moment of brilliance by Eliáš’ saw the scores level. A poor clearance by the home defence saw the ball fall kindly for the Czech player who fired a shot past Chowdhury into the far top corner. It was an absolute peach of a goal.
Rakesh Masih, who came on for García, picked up a second booking for a tackle from behind on Del Piero in the 88th minute to give Kolkata their second sending off in two games. Delhi were unable to take advantage in the dying minutes as the game ended all square.
Despite splitting points, Kolkata are however, still on top of the table with 7 points and will want to get back to winning ways against FC Goa away on October 23. Delhi Dynamos, who picked up their second point, will want to win their next game against Chennaiyin FC at home on October 25 to keep pace with the leaders.