It looked like Frederic Piquionne had dashed the hopes of Delhi Dynamos to record any point from the Indian Super League game against Mumbai City FC on Friday evening in the national capital, but it was hometown man Robin Singh who directed a spectacular script.
Piquionne had given the visitors the lead in the 70th minute, and the score remained 1-0 in favour of Mumbai until 90 minutes. However, Delhi Dynamos substitute Robin Singh scored in as late as the 90[+4]th minute to rescue a point for his side.
It was a cagey affair in the first half as none of the teams got that upper hand over the other, to put it simply. The home side looked more of a threat in the opening stages, but as the game passed, the chances weren't coming up.
Roberto Carlos included Adil Nabi and Len Doungel in the starting line-up for Delhi Dynamos, and the duo did give a good display of their pace and trickery, but they failed in taking the chances. Hans Mulder and Florent Malouda also tried their best to dictate the game, but to no avail.
For Mumbai City FC, Sony Norde, as expected remained a constant threat for the Delhi defenders, and the likes of John Arne Riise and Souvik Chakraborty had a hard time to control him. The Haiti forward combined well with Frederic Piquionne up front, but the attacking teeth were missing.
Indian talisman Sunil Chhetri's performance remained relatively low-key in the half, and both custodians -- Subrata Paul [Mumbai City FC] and Toni Doblas [Delhi Dynamos] -- didn't have to bother much.
It was goalless in the break.
A moment of magic arrived for the visitors in the 70th minute as Selim Benachour played a defence-splitting pass for Piquionne, and the striker was clean through. Toni Doblas came out of his line to attempt the spectacular, but the custodian was beaten by the former West Ham striker, and the ball was slotted home in a calm fashion.
The action was end-to-end in the second half with Florent Malouda coming dangerously close to scoring for the home side from a free-kick, and Len also pulling the trigger occasionally.
Roberto Carlos brought on Robin Singh for Len with 15 minutes remaining on the clock, and the Indian striker made instant impact as he attempted a lethal header on goal off Souvik Chakraborty's cross, and the shot saw the best save of the match from Subrata Paul.
The game was waiting for a much-needed late twist and Robin came to the rescue for the home side at the death to slot home the equaliser, and prevent either side from picking up the three points.
