ISL: Pavel's wonder goal helps Dynamos hold ATK 1-1

KOLKATA: In coaching manual, tactics often present the rigid face of the football while individual brilliance adds a sense of unpredictability.
ISL Points Table | Match In Pics
Adhering to coach Antonio Lopez Habas's par-for-the-course strategy and sitting pretty on Jofre Mateu's penalty conversion soon after the break, Atletico de Kolkata appeared set to overcome the challenge against Alessandro del Piero's Delhi Dynamos at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday.
With Borja Fernandez suspended and the team's inspirational midfielder and their marquee player Luis Garcia pulling out of the fray at the break with a sore hamstring, Habas' side looked well on course for their third win in a row in the Indian Super League.
But then came a moment of magic as Delhi Dynamos' Czech striker Pavel Elias exploded in style in the 73rd minute, leaving ATK devastated.
As ATK centre-defender Josemi cleared the ball off a left-wing attack, it went to Pavel, who was positioned well outside the box. Just as ATK backline was preparing for another goal-bound cross, the 27-year-old Czech met it with a stunning volley with the outstep of his right-foot.
The ball flew like a well-guided missile towards the ATK goal and swerved in at the last moment before crashing into the top corner of the net. ATK goalkeeper Subhashis Roy Chowdhury, who had maintained two clean sheets in the first two matches, could do very little but watch in awe.
Pavel's goal ensured back-to-back stalemates for Dynamos, while ATK dropped their first points in the competition. Habas' side, who will take on FC Goa next on Thursday in an away match, still leads the pack with seven points. If Pavel's goal was the talking point of the match, Italy and Juventus legend Del Piero to compelled attention, albeit through controversy.
The 2006 World Cup winner and the ISL's highest paid player took little time to settle down before making his presence felt. He did so in telling fashion when he broke into the ATK box before going down under Josemi's challenge in the sixth minute. Del Piero pleaded for a penalty but he was not only denied one by referee Santosh Kumar but was also booked for simulation.
Late in the match, Rakesh Masih, who replaced Garcia at the start of the second half, was given marching orders for earning double booking, as the dramatic match ended in a stalemate.
Czech Jakub Podany, who came on as a late sub to score ATK's second goal against NEUFC, replaced suspended Fernandez in the starting XI. Habas, however, employed Jofre in Borja's role as a two-man defensive screen, along with Nato, while Podany switched to the left wing.
Dynamos' Dutch coach Harm van Veldhoven, on the other hand, made three changes in the starting XI from their opener against FC Pune City five days ago. Del Piero started as the tip of the three-pronged attack, although Delhi Dynamos' apparent 4-3-3 formation was essentially meant for a conservative and cautious approach.
Sitting deep, Dynamos decided to soak up the pressure and in the presence of Hans Mulder and Souvik Ghosh in midfield hole, the visitors arranged their arsenal to counter the threat from Garcia-Fikru combination.
ATK also decided to swim with the tide. If the hosts missed Borja's work ethic in the field, Habas' move to Baljit back in a bid to restrict Del Piero's movements down the left flank meant ATK lacked cutting edge in the attacking third.
While Fikru almost gave ATK the lead in the 19th minute, latching on to Mulder's erroneous back-pass, Shylo Malsawmtluanga came up with the visitors' response with a thunderous shot in the 32nd minute which went out after kissing the horizontal.
The contest sprang to life soon after the break when Fikru earned a penalty in the 47th minute after he was pulled down inside the box by Wim Raymaekers. Jofre stepped up to send the world football's tallest goalkeeper Kristof van Hout the wrong way from the spot.
Del Piero, who was heavily marked, sparkled occasionally and also tested Subhashis with a dipping free-kick, but it was not enough to trouble the home side --till Pavel changed the script with his stunning strike.
Atletico coach slams schedule
KOLKATA: Blaming the hectic scheduling, Atletico de Kolkata marquee manager Antonio Habas on Sunday said the players were tired as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Delhi Dynamos.
"Many players were tired since we played on Sunday then on Thursday and then again today. We are playing three matches in eight days in different venues. For us it's round three, while for Delhi it's round two," lamented the Spanish manager.
Talking about the red card to Rakesh Masih, who was sent off after a double booking, "The rule says they can't do but if the referee decides then yes, he's the person to decide on the field. Today they gave a red card to Masih. He's the person to decide and take the decision. We can't help it."