Delhi Dynamos FC beat NorthEast United FC 1-0 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. Kalu Uche came off the bench to score the only goal of the game as Delhi picked up their third win of the season.

Neither team managed to get much joy going forward as both sides struggled to make inroads into the opposition penalty area during the opening exchanges. Seiminlen Doungel had a big chance to give the hosts the lead in the 20th minute after Reagan Singh found him with a smart pass forward. Doungel though failed to realise the amount of time and space he had before gently shooting straight at the goalkeeper.

Delhi also tired to push forward sporadically as Jeroen Lumu surged forward on one such occasion into NorthEast’s penalty box before firing into the side netting. However, neither side really managed to conjure any chances of note as the opening period ended goalless.

It was more of the same in the second period with both teams struggling to demonstrate free-flowing attacking football. Delhi had a half-chance in the 67th minute after Matias Mirabaje crossed from the left for substitute Uche, who couldn’t keep his header on target.

The Lions had another chance from a corner six minutes later when David Ngaihte beat his marker and got his head to the ball. His header, however, failed to test the NorthEast goalkeeper and let the Highlanders off the hook.

The hosts then responded with a shot from distance through Maic Sema in the 80th minute. This time the Swedish striker failed to keep his effort on goal to the disappointment of his teammates. Uche then had a shot on goal five minutes later but TP Rehenesh got behind the ball to make a comfortable save.

The Dynamos went on to finally break the deadlock three minutes from full-time after Ngaihte combined well with Uche. The Indian’s cross from the right was headed in with aplomb by the substitute to make it 1-0 for Delhi. Ngaihte had a chance to make it 2-0 late on but his effort ended up being blocked as Delhi went level on points with NorthEast.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award: Delhi Dynamos FC

Swift Moment of the Match: Kalu Uche

DHL Winning Pass of the Match: David Ngaihte

Amul Fittest Player: Martin Diaz

Emerging Player: Seiminlen Doungel

Hero of the Match: Kalu Uche

Watch the match highlights here: