I-League 2021-22 | Indian Arrows record first win of the season, beat Sudeva Delhi FC 1-0

Both teams settled into their rhythm early in the game and tried to get control possession of the ball in the opening few minutes of the contest. Sudeva Delhi FC was the first to work the opposing goalkeeper, when they managed t🍬o isolate William Pauliankhum against his man in the 4th minute.

William chopped into his favoured right foot and drove a stinging shot towards the near post from inside the box, bꦰut Arrows custodian Ahan Prakash was not to be caught out on his near pos𒅌t.

The AIFF’s developmental si💝de, the Indian Arrows, didn’t have to wait much longer for their own first look at goal, when Parthib Gogoi intercepted a misplaced pass from Sudeva Delhi FC in the 7th minute. Gogoi set his sights on goal early a▨nd pulled the trigger from the edge of the box, but his effort deflected behind for an Indian Arrows corner.

The first half continued to be a cagey affair, with neither team overextending their resources to p𓆏ush for the opening goal of the game. The contest was characterised by high pressing from head coach Shanmugam Venkatesh’s Indian Arrows side, which earned them plenty of turnovers in the opponent’s half.

The game burst into life in additional time of the fꩲirst half as Indian Arrows centre back Amandeep got sent off for a foul inside the box, awarding Sudeva Delhi FC a penalty on the st🙈roke of halftime. William, who had been Sudeva’s brightest spark in the match thus far, stepped up to take the spot-kick, but blazed his effort over the bar, keeping both teams level at halftime.

Do🅺wn to 10 men, the Indian Arrows emerged in the second half facing an uphill battle to get a result out of this game. Sudeva Delhi FC head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo made a change at halftime, bringing ▨off winger Rishabh Dobriyal for youngster Shubho Paul.

With the man advantage, Sudeva Delhi FC attempted to gain control in the middle of the park, but it was Indian Arrows who made the first breakthrough at the hour mark. As the Arrows midfi🎃eld tried to thread a pass-through for wide forward Parthib Gog🔯oi, the ball was intercepted by Nishchal Chandan, who then failed to clear his lines. Gogoi managed to win the ball in a dangerous position and slid a calm finish past goalkeeper Sachin Jha.

With the odds weighing against them, the Indian Arrows decided not to sit back with their slender lead and pushed for a second goal. They nearly double൩d their lead in the 64th minute when goalscorer Gogoi smashed a low drive off the frame of the goal.

Sudeva Delhi huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser, and had a golden chance to be back on level terms in the dying moments of the game in the 92nd minute. Souvik Das took the direct route and played a long ball into the box, which was nodded on by captain Sairuat💯kima. The ball fell to the diminutive Chesterpoul Lyngdoh, who ౠfailed to keep his volley in control as the chance went begging.

Indian Arrows held on for a 1-0 victory and secured their first three points in the Hero I-League this season, inflic💛ting Sudeva Delhi FC’s second defeat in as many games in the league. The Arrows will next face off against Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting at the Naihati Stadium on March 12, while Sudeva Deli ta✃kes on Churchill Brothers at the same venue on March 8.