Delhi FC defeated Ambernath United Atlanta FC 3-1 to emerge second division champions and achieve a promotion to I-League for the primary time right here on Friday.
Playing of their debut second division season, the Mumbai-based Atlanta FC wanted a degree on the Minerva Academy Ground in Chandigarh to win the title.
But a brace from Bali Gagandeep and an audacious strike from Vanlalhriatzuala scripted a memorable afternoon for the hosts Delhi FC.
The capital facet had beforehand made it to the I-League Qualifiers Final Round in 2021 however completed third and missed out on the promotion.
However, there was redemption and scenes of pure pleasure when Delhi FC lastly bought the job performed and booked their berth within the I-League for the primary time ever.
After a gap half-an-hour of sustained stress, Delhi opened the scoring within the thirty fourth minute with a advantageous staff objective.
Skipper Balwant Singh launched Fahad Temuri in acres of house down the left wing, and the teen charged ahead earlier than squaring the ball into the field for Bali Gagandeep to side-foot it residence at full stretch.
However, Atlanta FC, who barely threatened within the first half, got here out sturdy after the break and equalised within the forty eighth minute with a transfer much like the Delhi objective.
But it wasn’t to be the Mumbai facet’s day, as parity solely lasted eight minutes. Gagandeep struck once more for Delhi, rising highest within the six-yard field to go in Bhupinder Singh’s sensible supply from the nook.
Although Steven Dias’ Ambernath United Atlanta solely wanted a objective to take pole place once more and spoil the hosts’ occasion, they only could not discover any inspiration within the last third.
Eventually, two minutes from time, Vanlalhriatzuala sealed the deal for Delhi FC with a sensational 35-yard strike, which curled proper into the highest nook.
The 22-year-old had tried the same shot within the first half which got here off the crossbar, however there was no denying him this time.
A top-notch objective to safe the highest spot within the desk for Delhi FC.
The different 2nd Division match between hosts FC Bengaluru United and United SC was a useless rubber, the previous ran out 1-0 winners.
Irfan Yadwad scored the one objective, thus taking his season’s tally to 13 objectives to complete because the league’s high scorer.
Atlanta FC and FC Bengaluru United completed third and fourth respectively with six factors every.
United SC have been backside of the desk with three factors.
Source: www.thehindu.com
