Gaurs stun Lions to steal last minute victory and end regular ISL season at top of the table

FC GOA turned the table on Delhi Dynamos as they fought back from a 2 goal deficit in the second half and clinched a climactic victory over the home team to claim a top-of-the-table finish as ISL 2015 regular season came to a close.  

Since it was already certain that these two teams would face each other in the semi-finals, both coches treated this game as a sparring round ahead of the real contest. And it showed in Delhi's team selection. Roberto Carlos made seven changes to the squad; handing out starts to Sanjiban Ghosh, Anwar Ali, Robert Lalthlamuana, Robin Singh, Souvik Chakraborty, Vinicius and Richard Gadze. Zico made four changes to the FC Goa side and brought Elonton Andrade, Bikramjit Singh, Denson Devadas and Dudu Omagbemi back into the squad.

The game began on a slower note, with Dudu making a couple of runs and getting caught in Riise's net. But soon Delhi were slowly taking over the game by keeping more possession and frustrating Goan attackers with their solid defensive line-up full of well-rested players on their home turf.

Robin Singh picked up his mandatory yellow card faster than usual when he and Pronay Halder got involved in an off-the-ball clash with only 13 minutes on the clock. Both players got booked. 

The Delhi defence was working its offside trap with the efficiency of Arsenal from 1980s. A Denson Devadas cross found Reinaldo in a good position and the assistant ref's flag went straight up. Although the striker had shot it straight at the keeper anyway.

But on the other end Delhi were building up some pressure. The Dynamos got a corner kick, Vinicius sent it right into the box and Anwar Ali flicked it towards the goal but it missed the post by inches.

Then Florent Malouda sent one through to Vinicius who managed to get close but shot it wide.

But Malouda flourished again as he sent in a free kick into the box and an unmarked Serginho Greene managed to head it right in. It was 1-0 to the Lions.

By now the visitors were already on the backfoot. They almost conceded a secong goa when a botched clearance hit Robin Singh and almost rolled into an empty goal. Keeper Andrade, caught out of position, sprinted back to slap it away before the ball went in.

But minutes later Delhi scored again. Gadze fed Nabi and the West Brom youngster fired it home without a second thought. 2-0 to Delhi.

Desperate to get one back, Dudu tried his luck with a long ranger but it wasn't going to do much. Then Jofre sent a high one into the Delhi box that Reinaldo managed to get a header on, but it went above the crossbar and the striker sightly hurt himself due to an awkward fall. 

That was it; at half-time Delhi were ahead 2-0 and looked already on their way to exact revenge for the loss in the first leg. But a lot was left in the game.

Goa started the second half on a decidedly aggressive posture. An early pass from Jofre to Dudu saw Sanjiban make a good save. Then Dudu invaded the Delhi box again and Sanjiban had to rush out to stop him. But Dudu passed it to Reinaldo who fired away but captain Riise made a brilliant goal-line clearance to keep the Gaurs at bay.

And then Zico made the substitution that would transform the match. Romeo Fernandes took to the pitch, replacing Debabrata Roy. 

Meanwhile Delhi's Adil Nabi was trying his best. He sent a good ball to Vinicius to take a crack but the Goa keeper saved it. Then he made a threatening run towards the penalty box and Lucio had to foul him just outside, and pick up a yellow; which meant he was suspended for the first leg of the semi-finals.

And then Romeo Fernandes got the ball, ran in, beat a few defenders and made the strike with his left foot. It went straight in and Goa were back in the game; it was 2-1 now.

Then a minute later he scored again. Reinaldo made the run into the box and sent a sharp pass to Romeo who slotted it in like a coin into a public telephone. Goa were now level, and it was game on.

The match picked up a considerable pace. Reinaldo fed Dudu inside the Delhi box, but Sanjiban was quick on his feet. 

Then a ball flew in and Sanjiban dropped an easy grab. Dudu tried to get to the ball but the assistant referee came to the rescue with his raised flag. 

On the other hand it was Nabi pushing forward again; Andrade slapped it away for a corner. 

Substitutions were coming thick and fast too. Vinicius was replaced by Gustavo Marmentini, and Mandar Rao Desai made way for Narayan Das as Zico smelled a win here, and a top of the table finish. Carlos, meanwhile, had taken off Dudu and Robin Singh to let loose Sabeeth and Seminlen Doungel; choosing to play with 6 Indians in the outfield. 

Seminlen had immediate impact as his header hit Goa defender Pronay Halder in the hand, inside the box. The Lions roared in unison asking for a penalty, but the referee didn't think it was intentional. 

And then - in the last minute of regulation time, no less - Goa got their winner. Jofre managed to beat multiple defenders and the keeper as he picked his way inside the box, and calmly found the net. 

Delhi tried, but couldn't make a comeback. A Gadze shot was well saved by Andrade. And then it was over. After dominating throughout the first half, the Lions' fight had fizzled out in the second period as the Gaurs had managed to show their steely conviction once again by chasing down a 2 goal deficit and winning the match. 

Thanks to this win, Zico's FC Goa have earned themselves a top-of-the-table finish, while Delhi Dynamos have stayed at the 4th place. 

What this means is that the first semi-final encounter between these two teams will take place on Friday night, in Goa.

Roberto Carlos will try not to be worried about this loss in a largely inconsequential game where he fielded a mostly second-string side. But losing the match after going up 2-0 will have him frowning. Delhi Dynamos have made it to the playoffs by playing percentage football; never scoring many but mostly succeeding in containing their opponents to ensure narrow, favourable results. Letting in 3 goals in one half is certainly not something the Lions' defence is used to. And getting owned like this by the same team they are about to face in the semis may have some psychological repercussions. 

As for Goa, this win sums up their regular season perfectly. They have struggled at times and spent little time on the top during competition. But they have always managed to overcome the odds and go to the great lengths victory required of them. Now, finishing at the top of the table, Zico will feel justified about the hard work he has put into this franchise over the last two years. They have certainly been one of the best teams in ISL 2015 so far, if not the best. But they will have to tread carefully; because last year the semi-finals saw both favourite teams lose out to the underdogs and Roberto Carlos has a history of pulling off cheeky wins in the big stages.