Mumbai: Nicholas (the Great) is the name one associates with Pope – the preacher, developer of papacy. On Wednesday, Mumbaikars experienced his second coming. French footballer Nicolas Anelka may not have received sainthood, instead he started his career with Paris-Saint Germain in 1996. However, in 2014, little did he know that he will be a name discussed in local trains in India. Yes, the former Chelsea striker – who guided Mumbai City FC home in the last tie against Kerala Blasters FC – did an encore here. Riding on his goal, the hosts beat Delhi Dynamos 1-0.
What turned many heads was the absence of Alessandro Del Piero till Mumbai scored and took lead. With Mumbai captain and defender Syed Rahim Nabi going out in the first minute due to an injury, it seemed that the team from capital will draw first blood. But the proceedings were kept tight by Pavel Cmovs (Mumbai) and Shouvik Ghosh (Delhi). Steven Dias and Mads Junker did have a tiki-taka session initially but could not convert. Mumbai custodian Subrata Paul stood like a rock.
Mumbai’s closest chance came in the 38th minute when Andre Moritz hoodwinked the Delhi defenders from the wings and passed the ball to Anelka from where it reached Subhash Singh. But the striker from Manipur mistimed the volley near the post. In the 44th minute, Anelka came close to scoring but the offside flag was raised. But he did not make a mistake in the 59th minute. Fed with a sublime cross from Subhash, the former France striker scored the sole goal for hosts.
The much awaited moment came in the 62nd minute when Del Piero took the field. But the Delhi coach had left it too late. The Italian meant business straight away as he shot for the goal in the 71st minute but it was blocked for a corner, which he himself took which led to another chance. Bruno Arias went for the net but he was fouled. In the 73rd minute, Dias and Arias' set piece was intercepted by Manuel Frederich.
The Dynamos fought till the last nail with Del Piero leading from the front. The crowd experienced a masterclass counter-attack in the 79th minute when the Italian’s free-kick was saved and Mumbai moved the ball upfront. Jan Stohanzl passed it to Nadong Bhutia who crossed it to Moritz. Mumbai could have doubled their lead had Shouvik not blocked the Brazilian's shot.
In the 90th minute, the Italian created tense moments for the local fans with Dias backing him with a curling ball inside the six-yard box. The former Juventus star jumped in the air but his header went wide.
Mumbai goalkeeper Paul was the only difference till the dying minutes. When the hosts gave away a free-kick on the left flank, Wim Raymaekers headed for the net but Paul dived to his left to keep it out for a corner. He pulled off another magnificent save – probably the best of the tournament so far – to keep a Arias header away though it was flagged offside.
However, Delhi Dynamos coach Harm van Veldhoven believed they played better football. "Mumbai was lucky. I really think we were the better team today. We had control, had good movements in the first half. We lost a bit in the second half post Anelka's goal," he said.
He agreed that Delhi had their clear chances after Del Piero was brought on but did not regret his decision on bringing the Italian late into the game. "I need to maintain the balance. Somebody was needed in the deep had I sent Alessandro earlier, we were one goal down and I thought it was time for him. There is no fitness issue with Alessandro, I'm just sticking to my plan. Maybe you'll see him for the full 90 minutes in the next game," he added.
Delhi captain Mads Junker lauded Paul for his clean sheet. "I think he was absolutely brilliant. We had a golden chance in the 90th minute, he even kept that out. He probably created the difference today," he said.
After the win, Mumbai are now third in standings with nine points.
