New Delhi: A sound thrashing of
Chennaiyin FC having boosted their confidence,
Delhi Dynamos would look to take forward the momentum when they clash with
NorthEast United FC in their Hero Indian Super League fixture here tomorrow.
After two consecutive draws, Delhi notched up their first win of the
tournament on October 25 by drubbing the Chennai side 4-1 through three
spectacular goals and another from the penalty spot to the huge delight
of home fans and coach Harm van Veldhoven.
The Dutch coach talked about his attacking brand of football and
goals that would come by before the tournament but he was finding it
difficult to answer questions after his side could get just two goals in
the first two matches.
Now that his players have tasted their first victory with four goals
against a quality side like Chennaiyin, who have come after winning
their first two matches, Veldhoven is expected to maintain the tempo
tomorrow also.
NorthEast, however, would be a tough team to beat, having won two out
of four matches (one match a draw and the other a loss) they have
played so far and now at second spot in the league table with seven
points. They have also come here on a high after defeating Mumbai City
FC 2-0 in their first away match.
Delhi, on five points and fourth in league table, will
have another reason to win tomorrow's match at the Jawaharlal Nehru
Stadium as after this they will be on the road for three games before
returning home for their November 13 contest against FC Goa.
Veldhoven is likely to stick to the starting lie-up that played
against Chennaiyin FC but Brazilian Gustavo Dos Santos, who scored a
goal just after coming onto the field in the 89th minute through a solo
effort, could be given more playing time.
The midfield trio of Hans Mulder, Bruno Herrero and Steven Dias did a
commendable job by controlling the middle of the park for Alessandro
Del Piero, Shylo Malswamtluanga and Mads Junker to look for goals.
Former India international Dias found his touch in his first start in
the tournament as he supplied the inch-perfect floater for Junker to
score a spectacular goal through a diving header.
The Delhi side could also be looking for Del Piero to finally come to
the party as the Italian legend is yet to stamp his class in the three
matches he has played so far.
NorthEast, on the other hand, are a balanced side with few well-known
international and national stars. They have, however, shown that they
can go a long way by beating Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC and
holding FC Goa.
Their attack will once again revolve around former Marseille player Sergio Contreras Pardo of Spain, better known as Koke.
NorthEast defence was impressive against Mumbai City FC with
36-year-old former Spain international Joan Capdevilla marshalling the
backline with aplomb to deny their opposition any goal in the first
half. The NorthEast side then made a remarkable turnaround in the second
half to strike twice and win the match.
It will have to be seen tomorrow how Delhi's attacking brand of football is able to breach the NorthEast defence.
NorthEast are also expected to have a sizeable chunk of their
supporters from among Delhi-based youngsters from the eight states of
that region of the country.