Half Time Report: Goa dominate Delhi to take a strong 2-0 lead

GOA

Elinton Andrade (GK), Lucio, Gregory Arnolin, Keenan Almeida, Debabrata Roy, Leo Moura, Denson Devadas, Mandar Rao Desai, Romeo Fernandes, Jofre, Reinaldo.

DELHI

Sanjiban Ghosh (GK), Souvik Chakraborty, Anwar Ali, John Arne Riise, Zodingliana Ralte, Chicao, Hans Mulder, Shylo Mama, Vinicius Ferreira de Souza, Florent Malouda, Richard Gadze

As the rains poured down on Fatorda for hours, the fans kept pouring out in big numbers to support the home team in their season opener against Delhi Dynamos. The stadium had taken on the look of the familiar look of the Goa-flavoured football party complete with drums and horns.

The home side chose to start with 4 of the 7 Brazilians that Zico had included in the side; Andrade in goal, Lucio in central defence, Leo Moura in the midfield and Reinaldo right up front. 3 Dempo players, Romeo Fernandes, Debabrata Roy and Mandar Rao Desai were also included among the starters. 

Roberto Carlos chose not to field himself against the strong FC Goa side, opting instead for a strong and heavy defence of Zodingliana Ralte and Chicao on the side while captain John Arne Riise guarded the middle with Anwar Ali. Missing Sehnaj Singh in the midfield, they went with Shylo 'Mama' Malsawmtluanga instead. Richard Gadze, as expected, helmed the attack.

The curious inclusion in the starting line-up was Sanjiban Ghosh, the 24 year old goalkeeper who went unsold in the Draft, but was signed by the Dynamos only a week ago after a trial. He was given a start ahead of Subhashish Roy Chowdhury who turned heads with his performance for Atletico de Kolkata last year.

From the very beginning it was FC Goa who built the pressure on the visitors and managed to maintain it. And in the very third minute, a lead game courtesy of two Dempo boys. As Moura fed Romeo Fernandes from the right, he accelerated, leaving Riise behind. He then sent the ball in for an impeccable centre and found Mandar Rao Desai, who had made a dart right up the middle. The finish from the Mapusa-born midfielder came with dexterity and ease, as it hit defender Shouvik Chakraborty and went right in. The fans' roar reached fever pitch as FC Goa started their season with an own goal manufactured by two young Goans.

The Gaurs kept the pressure on as Reinaldo and Romeo ran riot in the Lions' half. The Brazilian almost helped Romeo get a second with a sharp cross but the latter's shot hit the post.

Delhi Dynamos tried to put together some counter attacks as they tried hard to push the action away from their half. A cross from Gadze saw Malouda get his head to it but missed the goal. 

Malouda kept trying to rally the Dynamos midfield but FC Goa countered by hogging the ball and slowing things down, hoping to draw the Delhi midfielders out. Delhi were granted a free kick after Almeida brought Vinicius down. But Malouda's sub-par delivery was easily swatted away by Reinaldo, much to the frustration of Roberto Carlos in the sidelines.

Delhi did try to gain back some clot towards the end of the half as free kick by Chicao had to be punched away by Andrade. The keeper easily collected the resulting corner kick.

But in the injury time, FC Goa doubled their lead as a free kick by Jofre flew in, brushed Reinaldo's leg, and beat Sanjiban Ghosh to find the net. The home side, who had dominated most of the half, were duly rewarded with a comfortable lead as the half-time whistle blew.