In a high octane clash in the Indian Super League on Friday, Robin Singh scored a dramatic late goal for Delhi Dynamos at the death to deny Mumbai City FC their first away victory as he cancelled the visitors' lead.
Mumbai were seconds away from doing the double over Roberto Carlos' men who were once again sloppy and uninspiring in front of goal but Robin Singh saved Delhi the blushes much to the delight of the home fans. This is Delhi's second consecutive 1-1 draw and they now find themselves second on the points table, just behind FC Goa in the goal difference.
Mumbai's coach Nicolas Anelka made five changes to the side that lost 1-4 to Atletico de Kolkata with himself along with Pavel Cmovs, Subash Singh, Juan Aguilera and Ashutosh Mehta making way for Kingshuk Debnath, Frederic Piquionne, Cristian Bustos, Sampath Kuttymany and Selim Benachour.
On the other hand, Delhi Dynamos manger Roberto Carlos made three changes to his side as he dropped himself out of the starting line up along with Francis Fernandes and Robin Singh. Seminlen Doungel, Souvik Chakraborty and Adil Nabi were all drafted in.
Mumbai City kicked-off the proceedings and had an early attempt on the goal in the first minute but Selim Benachour's shot from outside the box was easily saved by the Delhi goalie Antonio Doblas.
Delhi Dynamos then soon settled in and Adil Nabi got space inside the Mumbai Cit's defence thanks to a brilliant ball from Souvik Chakrabarti but the forward failed to capitalise and did not get anything on the ball.
The home team was by far the better team in the opening exchanges of the match as they had majority of possession but lacked that final touch and execution. Dynamos had another decent chance in the 12th minute when Florent Malouda sent in a lovely ball towards the far post for Doungel but his final ball found Nabi in an offside position.
With Mumbai playing on the counter - they had a golden opportunity in the 24th minute to take the lead thanks to brilliant play on the left from Sony Norde who set up a brilliant ball for Fredric Piquionne but his shot from inside the box was way above the goal post.
There were lot of passes by the Delhi players but unfortunately for them they lacked the creativity in the final third. Malouda played couple of good through balls in the middle for Gadze in the half but Mumbai defenders were well up to their tasks.
With most of the first half being played in the Mumbai half - Delhi midfield and defence had less to worry about in-form Sunil Chettri for the first 45 minutes. Both the teams went into break at 0-0.
Second half started in a bright fashion as the away team had an opportunity in the 50th minute when Selim Benachour played an inch perfect cross for Chhetri who chested it down but his shot was some how kept out by the Delhi Dynamos goalie.
But Delhi soon regrouped and started dominating the play and had a couple of decent chances of their own in the next few minutes with Malouda's in-swinging free-kick coming off the crossbar and then Gadze's shot getting deflected for the corner.
When it was looking that the game is heading towards a goalless draw, Mumbai City came up with an answer as Piquionne scored in the 70th minute thanks to a brilliant through ball by Benachour.
Delhi came close in the 79th minute to equalising things but substitute Robin Singh's header was well kept by Subrata Paul but the striker had another opportunity in the 93rd minute which is took with open arms. Malouda's free-kick in the 94th minuted was flicked on by Mulder and Robin was played onside by Aitor and the Delhi lad would not miss from there.
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