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On the back of a 4-1 win against Indian Air Force, Delhi FC arrived at the Ambedkar Stadium to play their fifth fixture in eight days in the Delhi Premier League against Royal Rangers FC.
Delhi FC started the game in usual fashion, passing the ball around and also looking to create inroads in the opposition defense. Himanshu Jangra looked bright early on down the right with his movement and dribbling, but Royal Rangers kept their shape well enough, even as Delhi FC had a couple of half chances from good crosses in the first ha an hour of the game.
In the 37th minute though, Delhi FC conceded a free-kick right on the edge of the D on the left. Vivek from Royal Rangers went above the wall straight at goal and found the back of the net to give them the lead.
A few moments later, Delhi FC had a great chance to equalize after a stunning flick from Jangra opened up a chance for Sergio Barboza with the goal gaping in front of him, but it was hit straight at the goalkeeper who made a good save.
Nikhil Mali then showed of great skills to get past two down the left and dink a cross in, but the following header was saved by the goalkeeper again.
Delhi FC’s last chance before halftime was from a corner, which was headed on by Arthur Kouassi, but again saved by the goalie.
Royal Rangers took a 1-0 lead into the half-time break.
Delhi FC kept pushing forward even after the restart, but it was Royal Rangers who doubled their money in the 57th minute. A cross from a right came in, but after a couple of blocks, the resistance was broken and Royal Rangers went 2-0 up.
This time, though, Delhi FC’s response was first class. Three minutes after conceding the second, they won themselves a freekick, which was taken short, dropped into the box, and it took a deflection off a Rangers player into the net. It was 1-2.
In the 78th minute came the best move of the game. Himanshu Jangra received it on the left, ran up to the byline, and rifled a ball in, which Dipanda Dicka finished it off first time as only a top-class striker can. It was 2-2.
The momentum was now in Delhi FC’s favour, who would look to go for the winner and maintain their 10% record in the Delhi Premier League.
And then the winner did arrive in the dying embers of the game. In the 89th minute, a cross came in from the left and found the feet of Kouassi, who took it on the half-turn and found the bottom corner to make it 3-2.
This completed a stunning comeback by Delhi FC yet again, and they maintain their top spot in the Delhi Premier League with this result. They now play their next game on December 24 against Hindustan FC.
