What a match it was at the Gachibowli Stadium! Sporting Delhi and Mohammedan SC shared the spoils in a pulsating 2-2 draw that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Matija Babovic was the hero for Sporting Delhi, scoring twice. But Mohammedan fought back bravely to earn a well-deserved point in Hyderabad.
Both teams played with incredible intensity. This result will be talked about by ISL fans for days. Every goal was dramatic, and every tackle was fierce.
Starting Lineups
The starting 11 of both teams are as follows.
Sporting Delhi (3-4-3): N. Fernandes; Manoj Mohammed, R. Ribeiro, A. Saji; L. Semkholun, A.H. Hudu, O. Fane, A. Lalrochana; J. Sunny, M. Babovic, M. Aimen
Mohammedan SC (4-4-2): P. Chettri; H.P. Sajad, P.D. Meitei, J.A. Mazumder, H. Mondal; Lalngaihsaka, R. Mahitosh, A. Singh, Lalthankima; A. Singh, M. Chothe
Substitutions
The substitutions made by both teams are as follows.
Sporting Delhi: Sourav K. for Joseph Sunny (72′); Devendra Murgaonkar for Mohammed Aimen (88′)
Mohammedan SC: Rochharzela for Lalthankima (84′); Md Fardin Ali Molla for Makan Chothe (84′)
Team Statistics: How the Match Unfolded
The full match statistics are as follows.
| Sporting Delhi | Stat | Mohammedan SC |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Shots | 10 |
| 4 | Shots on Target | 5 |
| 62% | Ball Possession | 38% |
| 8 | Fouls | 7 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 1 | Offsides | 1 |
| 9 | Corners | 6 |
First Half: Babovic Opens the Scoring With a Penalty
Sporting Delhi drew first blood in the 17th minute when the referee awarded a penalty. Matija Babovic stepped up with confidence and converted it perfectly into the net.
The goal gave Sporting Delhi an early lead and set the tone. However, Mohammedan SC refused to be beaten and kept pushing forward looking for an equaliser.
Adison Singh levelled the score at 40 minutes. His strike was well-assisted by Makan Chothe, sending both sets of fans into a frenzy before the half-time whistle.
The teams went into the break level at 1-1. Sporting Delhi dominated possession at 62%, but Mohammedan showed they were dangerous on the counter-attack.
Second Half: Goals, Drama, and a Last-Gasp Equaliser
Babovic struck again just after the restart in the 51st minute. This time, Joseph Sunny provided the assist as Sporting Delhi retook the lead in thrilling fashion.
Sporting Delhi looked set to hold on and claim three points. Their defence was compact, and Babovic was a constant threat in the second half for the home side.
But Mohammedan had other plans. Defender Hira Mondal grabbed a stunning equaliser in the 65th minute. Lalngaihsaka provided the assist to make it 2-2.
The final 25 minutes were tense and absorbing. Both teams pushed hard for a winner, but neither could find the net. The match ended in a hard-fought draw.
Goal Timeline
The goal scorers of the match are as follows.
| Minute | Scorer | Team | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17′ (P) | Matija Babovic | Sporting Delhi | — |
| 40′ | Adison Singh | Mohammedan SC | M. Chothe |
| 51′ | Matija Babovic | Sporting Delhi | J. Sunny |
| 65′ | Hira Mondal | Mohammedan SC | Lalngaihsaka |
Key Performers of the Match
Matija Babovic was the standout player for Sporting Delhi. He scored two goals but also received a yellow card in the 35th minute for a reckless challenge.
Adison Singh was lively throughout for Mohammedan SC. He scored the first equaliser and caused problems for the Delhi backline with his pace and movement.
Hira Mondal, usually a defender, popped up with a crucial equaliser in the 65th minute. His goal rescued a vital point for Mohammedan SC in Hyderabad.
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Conclusion: A Point Each in a Memorable Contest
This 2-2 draw was everything ISL football promises. Two competitive teams, four brilliant goals, and relentless action from start to finish at Gachibowli.
Sporting Delhi will feel they let two points slip. They led twice but could not hold on. Babovic’s brace deserved to be on the winning side today.
Mohammedan SC showed great character and resilience. Coming back twice to level the score speaks volumes about their fighting spirit and never-give-up attitude.
Both teams now move to the next fixtures knowing they left everything on the pitch. This was ISL football at its finest. Do not miss the next encounter!
