Pune: Lallianzuala Chhangte scored a goal and set up another to help Delhi Dynamos FC (DDFC) beat FC Pune City 3-2 and begin their ISL-IV campaign on a winning note here Wednesday. The hosts thus failed to overcome their jinx against DDFC. This was their fourth loss to the Delhi side in seven outings.
Chhangte, who has played for the India senior team four times, set up Paulo Henrique Cruz (46th minute) for DDFC’s first goal before he added his own name in the scoresheet in the 55th minute. Matias Mirabaje made it 3-0 for the winners in the 66th minute.
Emiliano Alfaro pulled one back for Pune in the 67th minute as the Balewadi Stadium saw four goals in the space 21 minutes after a barren and uneventful first half. Marcos Tebar further reduced the margin for Pune with a goal in the last minute of added on time (90+5) but it was too late to be of any consequence.
The 20-year-old Mizoram player, Chhangte made the host supporters go silent immediately after the breather. He sent a measured cross into the Pune box from the left after a neat passing bout with Sena Ralte.
Captain Kalu Uche and Cruz went for the header. Eventually it was Paulinho who found himself at the end of the cross as he headed the ball into the net. Chhangte, then latched on to a loose ball after a defensive error by Pune defender Gurtej Singh, to double DDFC’s lead by calmly dinking it over an onrushing goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh.
Uruguayan Mirabaje then put the issue beyond doubt with a left-footed pile-driver off a Pritam Kotal cross that gave Kamaljit no chance.
Alfaro immediately reduced the margin for Pune with an opportunistic effort, but then it was for a lost cause.
