The NorthEast United FC marquee player came off the bench to score the equaliser for his side and also helped his side earn a point after they recorded a 1-1 result against Delhi Dynamos at the JLN Stadium in the national capital on Tuesday evening.
Richard Gadze had scored the opener for the home side in the 37th minute.
Delhi Dynamos' hopes of leading the table got dashed after they failed to record all the three points.
NorthEast United FC started with immense pace and there were uncountable shots from the away side within the tenth minute of the game.
Sanju Pradhan terrorised the Delhi Dynamos defence after trying out a long shot on goal in just about the third minute of the game. The Indian winger then delivered a perfect ball from the corner in the eighth minute that saw Diomansy Kamara test the crossbar with his powerful header from close-range.
Richard Gadze however halted the momentum of the visitors a bit as he slotted home calmly with his left foot in the 37th minute for the opening goal of the game. Gadze he received a wonderful through ball from Florent Malouda, and the shot on goal saw NorthEast United FC custodian Rehenesh well and truly beaten.
The fans also got to watch the magic of Roberto Carlos as he made his first start in the ISL this season, and also took a free-kick for his side in the 16th minute. Unfortunately, the ball came off the wall.
It was 1-0 in favour of the home side at half time.
The visitors started the half once again with the same pace and saw Delhi Dynamos custodian Toni Doblas make some saves early on. Ex-Liverpool star John Arne Riise saw his powerful low free-kick in the 52nd minute keep Rehenesh untroubled.
Silas had a wonderful opportunity to get the equaliser from a free-kick moments later, but the ball kissed the crossbar and went out.
There was a masterstroke from NorthEast United FC coach Cesar Farias just after the 70th minute mark, as he brought on marquee player Simao to take a close-range free-kick. The Portuguese lobbed the ball high over the wall and made sure there was class written all over it to blast the top corner.
Doblas could only remain a mere spectator.
The home side tried their best to get the winning goal in the closing stages of the game, but the visitors were not keen on letting a vital point go away.
Catch the moments from the game HERE.
