Indian Super League
Kochi(Kerala): Delhi Dynamos marquee player-manager Roberto Carlos stated that his players are getting more confident with each game in the Indian Super
League (ISL).
The Lions downed Kerala Blasters 1-0 in Kochi which saw them go level
on points with league leaders, FC Pune City which leads only on better
goal difference.
“This is our second away win and so is very important. We deserved
this result. We are also top of the league now. We are getting more and
more confident and the credit goes to my players. But we can improve
even more,” he shared his thoughts in the post-match press conference.
He credited his technical staff for doing well to deal with
Zodingliana Ralte’s injury in the first half as he introduced Sehnaj
Singh in the midfield with Chicao and John Arne Riise moving to
centre-back and left-back positions respectively.
“We have to think very quickly in situations like this and my
coaching team did well in reacting to it. We have to make changes according to the match hour situations. (Richard) Gadze today played on the right
though he is a forward. Throughout the game we look to improve our
team,” he said.
The former Real Madrid defender praised the ambience at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi which saw 62013 fans cheer for their
home team.
“We saw lots of fans pouring in to the stadium as we traveled to the
ground. I want to thank all the supporters here. This is the true
atmosphere of football and of India,” he mentioned.
Striker Richard Gadze, who has now scored two goals in as many
matches, stated that he was keen to impress the coach given that he
isn’t satisfied with a role on the bench.
“I wanted to play when I was on the bench and when I came on I tried
to work as a group with my teammates and it worked. It was great to
score a goal,” he said.
Meanwhile, Francis Fernandes shared some insights to Carlos’ tactical
instructions which highlighted Florent Malouda being the chief
orchestrator.
“We didn’t have any pressure as we were the away team. So we enjoyed a
lot. The coach asked me to play simple football. He said, ‘Give the
ball to Malouda and try to get behind the defenders’. I did what he
wanted me to do,” said Fernandes.
