ISL 2018-19: ATK get off the mark with 2-1 win over Delhi Dynamos FC

Full-time report: ATK finally got over the line with three points over Delhi Dynamos at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi after substitute El Maimouni Noussair drove a low shot into the bottom-left corner in the 83rd minute.

The visitors have had a miserable start to the campaign despite being among the favourites to lift the trophy and came to Delhi with two losses in as many matches. The home team had one draw after suffering a late goal.

Before the start of the game, ATK head coach Steve Coppell had stressed on the importance of hardwork, and said his team "intend to put a lot in" and "get a lot out" in the game against Delhi Dynamos FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

True to his words, ATK put on a shift in the first half, running around the pitch boisterously and putting pressure on the home team, so much so that Delhi were firmly planted into their own half for most part of the first half. The visitors also have a goal to show for it.

It came in the 20th minute through the right leg of Balwant Singh. Delhi gave away the ball after a sloppy play and Balwant got the ball inside the box on the left and turned inside out to take out a defender before putting his effort into the top-right corner with a curler.

For almost the entirety of the first half, ATK were on the front-foot.

But Delhi were quick to respond after the game's restart and Pritam Kotal headed the home team level with ATK in the 52nd minute. Narayan Das, from the right, swung it to the far post to Rana Gharami who headed it to the far post where Kotal directed his header past the keeper.

But, as in the first game, suffering a late goal was Delhi's undoing. A great through ball by Lanzarote found Rane on the right inside the box who had the opportunity to shoot but, after a dragback, laid it back for Noussair who drove it low to the right of the despairing Dorronsoro to hand ATK the head the second time in the match.

Delhi could never really threaten after the second goal, thus losing out on a point.

The win takes ATK to the sixth spot with three points after three games while Delhi Dynamos sit on the eight spot with a draw and a loss to their name this season.

There was no doubt about the quality in ATK's roster with a lot of good players still new to the team. By the looks of it, it has taken the team some time to gel but if this match is anything to go by, ATK have found their form. The team showed good mentality and constantly pressed the Delhi players, keeping them inside their box for most time. But is it really the sign of better things to come or just a red herring? Only time will tell.

9:22 PM

Minute 90+1 -- Everton Santos capitalises on a lack of control by Delhi in the middle of the park and slides in a beautiful pass for onrushing Jayesh Rane but it comes to nothing in the end

9:20 PM

Minute 90 -- Four minutes of additional time

9:18 PM

Minute 87 (SUBSTITUTION FOR ATK) -- Lanzarote is replaced by Andre Bikey

9:16 PM

Minute 86 (SUBSTITUTION FOR DELHI)-- Kotal out, Manchong in

9:15 PM

Minute 83 (GOAL!!!) -- Substitute El Maimouni Noussair makes it 1-2! A great through ball by Lanzarote finds Rane who has the oppotunity to shoot but instead lays it back for Noussair who drives it low to the right.

9:10 PM

Minute 80 (SUBSTITUTION FOR ATK) -- Uche out for Noussair

9:10 PM

Minute 79 -- Jayesh Rane does very nicely to chest down a cross and pass the ball to himself in a 2-vs-1 situation but Carmona bolts ahead of him toi cut short his advances

9:06 PM

Minute 76 -- Balwant Singh cut in from the left, again and tries to squeeze his effort into the top corner, again but the shot is little bit higher than what he would have liked

9:04 PM

Minute 73 -- A delicious ball is floated in inside the box but the effort inside the box isn't as convincing

9:02 PM

Minute 72 -- Dorronsoro makes a diving clearence

8:59 PM

Minute 69 (SUBSTITUTION) -- ATK make a change: Livewire Thatal is taken out for Jayesh Rane

8:56 PM

Minute 66 -- Carmona gets a shot in from a distance but it was always sliding away from the goal-post

8:55 PM

Minute 64 (SUBSTITUTION) -- Delhi make a change: Sejar out, Fernandes in

8:54 PM

Minute 63 -- Two great chances for Delhi. First, Crespi drives a low shot which Bhattacharja saves with a dive on the right but the resulting opportunity is overhit and flies way over the bar

8:52 PM

Minute 62 -- Carmona's shot from inside the box takes a deflection to earn Delhi a corner.