New Delhi, October 22:  Delhi Dynamos FC and Chennaiyin FC will be keen to put their struggles behind them and secure the first win in this edition of Hero Indian Super League as they face off at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The hosts secured a draw against Kerala Blasters where they needed a late goal from Andrija Kaluderovic to salvage something from the match. Even in the opening game against FC Pune City, they dropped points at the fag end and coach Josep Gombau will feel they needed much more than two points from their three games.
Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory during match 11 of the Hero Indian Super League 2018 ( ISL ) between Chennaiyin FC and Northeast United FC held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, India on the 18th October
Photo by: Vipin Pawar /SPORTZPICS for ISL
“We are a new team. We are trying to play a new style of football. This is something that cannot happen in one day. I think we deserve more than the two points we have because, in all the three games, we had chances to win the game,” said Gombau.
While Lallianzuala Chhangte and Romeo Fernandes have shown glimpses of their quality, lack of composure in front of goal is telling. Delhi’s profligacy has seen them score only three goals despite fashioning countless opportunities.
Anirudh Thapa of Chennaiyin FC warm up before the start of the match 11 of the Hero Indian Super League 2018 ( ISL ) between Chennaiyin FC and Northeast United FC held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, India on the 18th October
Photo by: Vipin Pawar /SPORTZPICS for ISL
“The important thing is that we are playing good football. We are creating chances and when we convert them, we will win matches. I hope that we win,” he said.
Delhi will miss the services of influential midfielder Marcos Tebar who is nursing a hamstring injury.
Germanpreet Singh of Chennaiyin FC can’t turn the ball in to the empty net during match 2 of the Hero Indian Super League 2018 ( ISL ) between Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, India on the 30th September 2018
Photo by Ron Gaunt / Sportzpics for ISL
Chennaiyin FC look a shadow of the side which won the title in March this year. In the absence of the injured Dhanpal Ganesh, none of their midfielders, including the likes of Anirudh Thapa and Germanpreet Singh, have been able to take control.
Andrija Kaludjerovic of Delhi Dynamos FC celebrates a goal during match 13 of the Hero Indian Super League 2018 ( ISL ) between Kerala Blasters FC and Delhi Dynamos FC held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, India on the 20th October 2018
Photo by: Vipin Pawar /SPORTZPICS for ISL
“You can always look at the reason why we have not started so well. But the effort that the boys have put in for all three matches is incredible. I certainly have no problems with the way that they have approached the games. It is just that we have made a couple of defensive mistakes. Big mistakes, which we rarely made last season in the 18 regular season matches,” said Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory.
Chennaiyin FC is the only team to have lost all their three matches and coach Gregory will need to inspire his side to make a mark soon or risk being left out of the race early in the competition. Just like the first three matches, it wouldn’t be any easy against Delhi Dynamos.
Romeo Fernandes of Delhi Dynamos FC practise before the start of the match 13 of the Hero Indian Super League 2018 ( ISL ) between Kerala Blasters FC and Delhi Dynamos FC held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, India on the 20th October 2018
Photo by: Vipin Pawar /SPORTZPICS for ISL
“We obviously know that we are playing against Delhi. They have a couple of our old players (Rene Mihelic & Bikramjit Singh) from last season who have both won gold medals (from last season). We are expecting a tough game,” the Englishman said.
Share.

Leave A Reply