On the second day of the I-League 2024-25 season, Namdhari FC and Delhi FC settled for a goalless draw at the Namdhari Stadium, on Saturday, November 23.
Hosts Namdhari started the game on the front foot, dictating the pace and creating the first notable chance. In the 12th minute, Manvir Singh was all set to flick a cross from the right, but Delhi FC goalkeeper, Lalmuansanga, came up with a crucial save.
Shortly after this, Namdhari’s Brazilian recruit Vicente Mercedes unleashed a shot from the middle of the box, but it was blocked by Delhi’s resolute defence. The rebound fell to Vicente’s fellow Brazilian, Cledson Dasilva Degol, who fired wide of the target.
Namdhari kept the pressure on as Gursimrat Singh narrowly missed an opportunity to find the target with a header, but the ball deflected into the path of Lalmuansanga, who once again made an important stop. Two minutes later, Vicente nearly broke the deadlock after a neat setup from Degol, but his effort hit the near post.
Despite Namdhari’s dominance, Delhi FC grew into the game as the match progressed. However, both teams struggled to convert their chances in a game that lacked clinical finishing. In the 46th minute, Akashdeep Singh delivered a precise pass to Degol, whose flick narrowly missed the target.
The hosts suffered a setback in the 61st minute when Francis Addo was shown the red card for a clumsy challenge on Delhi’s Samir Binong, thus reducing Namdhari to 10 men.
With the numerical advantage in their favour, Delhi FC began to assert themselves and created several opportunities. Bali Gagandeep and substitute Stephane Binong, who is from Cameroon, combined well, but both squandered their chances, leaving their side frustrated.
In the dying moments, Delhi’s Himanshu Jhangra nearly found the target with a low-driven shot, but the near post came its way to deny the striker a goal. Despite Delhi’s late surge, Namdhari’s defence held firm, ensuring the game ended in a stalemate.
Both teams will rue missed chances as they walked away with a point apiece. Namdhari’s bright start was overshadowed by their inability to finish, while Delhi FC failed to make the most of their second-half dominance.
Aizawl FC, Dempo SC play out goalless logjam in Aizawl
Aizawl FC failed to capitalise on their chances as they settled for a goalless draw against newly-promoted Dempo SC in the 2024-2025 I-League match at the RG Stadium on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
After a nine-year-long hiatus, Dempo Sports Club, a club with a rich history that includes five National Football League and I-League Championships titles, made their highly-anticipated return to the 2024-25 I-League following their successful promotion campaign last season.
Aizawl FC, though, were the more dominant side in the first half of the match. Buoyed by the support of the home crowd, they aggressively pushed forward, resulting in earning seven corners within the first 45 minutes. However, Aizawl failed to capitalise on these set-piece opportunities, much to the disappointment of their fans.
Aizawl also explored long-range efforts to breach the Dempo defence. The first significant attempt came from Lalhriatpuia, who unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards out. However, Dempo’s goalkeeper, Ashish Sibi, was up to the challenge, skilfully fisting the shot away in the 38th minute.
Aizawl FC taking the field at the RG Stadium in Aizawl.
The best chance for Aizawl materialised towards the end of the half when Lalfelkima dashed down the right wing and delivered a looping cross into the penalty area. An unmarked Lalhriatpuia fired a strong right-footer only to be thwarted by Dempo defender Pruthvesh Pednekar, who bravely blocked the shot with his body.
While Aizawl were repeatedly probing for weaknesses in Dempo’s defence, the Dempo defenders absorbed the pressure admirably. They maintained a solid defensive line, seldom allowing Aizawl’s forwards any space to manoeuvre and effectively neutralising most of their attacks.
The pattern established in the first half persisted after the interval, with Aizawl maintaining their aggressive approach and continually testing the Dempo defence. Despite the pressure, Samir Naik’s squad managed to keep their opponents at bay.
Aizawl’s most promising opportunity of the second half emerged in the 82nd minute when Lalbiakdika whipped in a cross from the right. Sibi attempted to parry the cross but his deflection inadvertently sent the ball crashing against the woodwork and out for a corner.
Moments later, Aizawl created another significant chance as Lalhriatpuia, finding himself unmarked once again, connected with a cross from the left. However, he failed to capitalise on the opportunity, missing the target with his attempt. The game concluded without a goal despite Aizawl’s sustained efforts to break the deadlock.
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