Delhi: It was an epic semi-final clash when the two teams last clashed off in the Indian Super League (ISL) at Delhi. But Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos find themselves a mile backwards withing a year gap, unsettled and lingering in the bottom-half of the table as they battle against at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday.
Although separated by four points, only NorthEast United positioned ninth comes in between them and Delhi coach Miguel Angel Portugal whose side is last in the 10 men table feels ‘not enough goals scored’ is the main problem for both the sides.
The former Real Madrid B coach appointed to nurture the youth prospects of the Dynamos has successfully installed a possession based footballing style into the team, but that has often left left them fragile at the back, that saw them ship-in a massive 21 goals in eight matches. But returning home after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Chennaiyin FC will do them a world good feels Portugal.
“At home it is most important that we win. I think we have an opportunity to win. A point is important for confidence though,” he said at the pre-match conference.
Kerala on the other have done way with fomer Fulham manager René Meulensteen and appointed former Blasters player-cum-coach David James at the head of affairs, whose task will not only be to lift the ‘Men in Yellow’ into the top four but also handle a plethora of big names in the camp.
Usually late blooemers the Blasters have twice managed to make it into the finals despite not starting well and James was confident of the results coming soon.
While both the teams drew their previous encounters, a win here can take Kerala to the sixth position. It is nothing of that sort for the Dynamos, but the win will do them a world good after a double hat-tricks of losses.