Kolkata, Delhi share honours in hard fought tie

But with Garcia injured and two red cards in two matches the Kolkata outfit will have to get their back end steady if they want to hold on to their pole position.

Atletico came out after the half time without Luis Garcia who picked up a hamstring injury in the first half and two minutes into the game its a penalty for the home team. Jofre makes an industrious run from the midfield and puts a diagonal ball for Fikru. Wim Raymaekers makes a mess of containing the striker and gives away a penalty. Jofre slots home to the right of the keeper from the spot (1-0).

73 minutes into the match Pavel Elias restored parity for Delhi. A clearance from the defence falls to him. The midfielder takes a wicked curling volley from 20 yards and Subhashis Roychowhury is beaten. (1-1).

The second half was largely scrappy with the teams looking tired. Jofre, however, created one out of nothing when a snap shot saw Van Hout at his best and the resultant  volley from Baljit Saini off the block was kept away by the keeper. There was more action towards the end when Rakesh Masih collected the second yellow of the match and for the second time in two games Atletico was reduced to 10-men. Something that Antonio Habas will have to ponder on. 

Earlier, in the first half Delhi Dynamos FC came into the match with purpose and it showed as they made repeated forays with Shylo Malswamtulunga and Alessandro Del Piero leading from the front. Six minutes into the match Del Piero seemed to be in a favourable position inside Atletico box before diving from a weak challenge from Josemi. Referee was quick to caution him with a yellow for simulation.

After soaking in the initial pressure from the visitors Atletico slowly unfolded. Baljit Sahni put in a terrific through ball for his teammate in the 18-yard box. Kristof Van Hout was alert and agile there as he came out quickly to collect the ball. Next Jofre put in a loopy pass in the box for Fikru. Wim Raymaekers was alert there and intercepted it. Kristof Van Hout came out to clear it.

The best moment from Delhi came in when Alessandro Del Piero sent a lovely through ball to Shylo. The young lad makes room and bangs it in. He manages to beat the goalie but not the cross bar. That would have been a screamer had it gone inside.

Immediately after that Hans Mulder made a terrible mistake as he played a ball deep in his half. An alert Fikru pounced on the back pass and used his body strength to get past the defender. He then tried a clever flick past the 6ft10" Van Hout, but the ball hit the right leg and went out for a corner. First definite chance for the home side.

Josemi, Arnab, Biswajit and Denzil looked rock solid in defence as they were swamped by the Delhi raiders. Ofentse Nato as a holding midfielder before the defense was also a picture of confidence. For Delhi Hans Mulder was super in the midfield as Bruno Arias was relentless down the flanks.