Half Time: Robin returns in style as Delhi lead despite Pune enjoying maximum possession

Starting Line-ups:

Pune City - Steve Simonsen, Gouramangi Singh, Dhamaraj Ravanan, Diego Colotto, Nicky Shorey, Manish Maithani, Lenny Rodrigues, James Bailey, Jackichand Singh, Wesley Verhoek, Kalu Uche 

Delhi Dynamos - Toni Doblas, Chicao, John Arne Riise, Anas Edathodika, Zodingliana Ralte, Hans Mulder, Souvik Chakraborty, Shylo Mama, Florent Malouda, Gustavo Marmentini, Robin Singh

A perfectly positioned header from newly-returned national team star Robin Singh saw Delhi Dynamos end the first half with a crucial 1-0 lead over home side FC Pune City.

David Platt turned all expectations upside down and made six changes to the starting line-up. He benched seemingly important and successful players like Adrian Mutu, Yendrick Ruiz, Israil Gurung and Didier Zokora etc, introducing Jackichand Singh (back from national duty), Gourmangi Singh, Diego Colotto, James Bailey and Kalu Uche, most of whom had not played an important role in the team so far. Fan favourite Eugeneson Lyngdoh, also back from national duty, made his way into the bench.

Roberto Carlos, too, introduced a newly returned Blue Tiger. Robin Singh was introduced up front instead of Richard Gadze. His second change was a surprise move; he replaced successful goalkeeper Sanjiban Ghosh with Spanish custodian Toni Doblas.

The match started with Delhi Dynamos probing deep into the Pune City defence looking for their first goal from open play of the season. A Souvik Chakraborty throw in saw Robin Singh get some early action as he crossed it towards Zodingliana but the keeper got to it. Next minute Robin got a shot at the goal but sent it wide. 

Jackichand Singh too was working his way around the left flank. He made a couple of passes to Kalu Uche and others but Delhi defenders, especially Riise, stood in their way.

11 minutes into the game Jackichand got a shot at the goal but his well-timed volley saw Dablas collect it. 

Verhoek was trying his best to justify his first start. He took on Riise a couple of times and showed intent to give him a hard time for the rest of the game.

But it was the visitors who got the all-important first goal. They won a corner kick. Malouda stepped up to take it. He delivered it past the thickest area of the penalty box, right in front of the far post, exactly where Robin Singh was waiting quietly, completely unmarked. It was a massive defensive blunder and Pune City paid heavily for it. Robin's header was too swift for Simonsen. It playfully brushed his outstretched hand and went into the net. One nil to the Lions, the Stallions were now under pressure.

The home side re-started the game with a clear intent of equalising as soon as possible. Ravanan sent in a good cross, Kalu Uche ran into the box, went down almost on his own fishing for penalty, and it did not work. Seconds later Uche had won a free kick at least, thanks to a foul from Mulder which also looked suspicious. Nicky Shorey took the set-piece, hit the ball, Ravanan won it, crossed it to find somebody in the flank but no one got to it.

A long ball almost caught the Pune defence sleeping as cleared the defenders, with Robin Singh running after it, a lonely Simonsen the only barrier ahead of him. But the seasoned keeper rushed ahead and managed to snatch the ball or it could have been two nil right there.

Meanwhile Kalu Uche continued going down deep inside the Delhi half with or without reason. This time, Riise fouled him. Bailey took the free-kick, Anas tried to clear it, the ball got to Jackichand who took the shot but an alert Doblas managed to deflect it.

Anas Edathodika was soon taken to task again, this time by Verhoek, but this time he stood tall and blocked a difficult shot. 

Towards the end of the first half Delhi Dynamos were denied a penalty. Gustavo ran into the Pune box, James Bailey ran up behind him and brought him down. But the referee thought it was a clean challenge and did not award the spot kick. 

As the teams headed back at half-time, Roberto Carlos was probably happy with the lead, and the way his defence had stood strong in spite of having only 38% possession in the half. And he would be rightfully disappointed with the penalty decision going against them.

As for Pune City, David Platt would need to think up something different. A team needs more than Kalu Uche up front to deal with the likes of John Arne Riise. He must introduce more pace up front if they are to chase this game and earn a favourable result at the end.