‘Bhaag Chhangte Bhaag’ (Run Chhangte Run) is the chant one usually hears from the Delhi Dynamos fans when Lallianzuala Chhangte has the ball at his feet. (Highlights)
The demand again came from the Dynamos supporters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday and the 20-year-old forward from Mizoram delivered.
Chhangte skipped past defenders with his trademark pace and his goal proved the deciding factor as bottom-placed Dynamos defeated Indian Super League newcomers Bengaluru FC 2-0. Despite the win, Dynamos remain at the bottom.
Chhangte was already a known face in Indian football when he signed for Delhi Dynamos this season. In 2015, he made his India debut and became the second youngest goal-scorer for India with a double strike against Nepal.
But his stints with DSK Shivajians and NorthEast United FC after his international debut were not fruitful and that led to his losing the spot in the national team.
{{/usCountry}}But his stints with DSK Shivajians and NorthEast United FC after his international debut were not fruitful and that led to his losing the spot in the national team.
{{/usCountry}}However, there was no stopping the youngster on Sunday. He controlled the game from the right flank and was involved in almost all of Dynamos’ attacks.
The Bengaluru FC defenders had no answer to his raw pace, and on most occasions, ended up tackling him to stop his passes.
It took Chhangte just six minutes to get to a goal-scoring position but his shot was nowhere near the target. He was presented with three more chances in the first half alone, but his finishing was not up to the mark.
However, he finally scored in the 72nd minute at the end of a brilliant move from right-back Pritam Kotal.
The goal only piled on the misery on a Bengaluru FC side that looked clueless against the organised Delhi Dynamos defence. There was no link-up play between the midfielders, and with just three shots on target, the strikers never looked comfortable in the final third.
The two time I-League winners lost focus after the first goal and a last-minute spot kick from substitute Guyon Fernandez handed Dynamos their first home victory of the season.