ISL 2015: Simao saves the day for NorthEast with draw against Delhi

The start of the match was delayed due to floodlight problems and somehow Delhi were knocked off their game. A fired up NorthEast United came out all guns blazing, and dominated the match from the start.

Sanju Pradhan was quick to show NorthEast's intent as he drifted in from the right wing and took a pop at goal with the outside of his right foot. The ball curved past the post and the diving Delhi goalkeeper.

In the 6th minute, Francis Dadzie came close to scoring from a header after Seityasen Singh picked him out with a cross. Both the NorthEast wingers were troubling the Delhi defense, that struggled to deal with their crosses. In fact, just a minute later, Diomansy Kamara's header from a corner, struck the crossbar as the goalkeeper did not reach the ball in time.

In the 33rd minute, Delhi goalkeeper Toni Doblas made two brilliant back-to-back saves to keep Delhi in the game. First Sanju tested him with a long range effort and then his follow-up shot from the rebound reached Dadzie inside the box. The Ghanian forward was able to turn on his marker, but his shot was intelligently closed down by the Spanish custodian. Kamara tried his luck as well, with a volley, but he was unable to hit the target.

Despite creating all these chances, NorthEast failed to take the lead and suddenly it was Delhi Dynamos who opened the scoring with Richard Gadze scoring against the run of play in the 37th minute.

It was a swift counter attack with Delhi racing up the pitch in numbers. Florent Malouda played a lovely through ball and Gadze found the back of the net with a measured finish. With that goal, Delhi went into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead, something they would not have expected after that first half performance.

NorthEast's poor luck in front of the goal continued as Silas' free kick in the 56th minute rattled the crossbar and went out for a goal kick. This time though, they were not alone as, at the other end, Delhi striker Gadze faced a similar fate in front of the goal, as his shot struck the post with Rehenesh rooted to the ground.

Failing to break down a resolute Delhi defense, NorthEast United manager used his trump card Simao Sabrosa in the 72nd minute. Seconds after coming on the pitch, the marquee winger provided the visitors with the equalizer as he scored his second goal of the tournament with a world class free kick.

Both the teams pushed forward to score the winner, but neither of them were clinical in the final third and they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.