ISL: Delhi takes on Goa in final home match

The clash against FC Goa on Sunday will be the last home game in the league stage for Delhi Dynamos and Zambrotta knows his side must remain focused.

Published : Nov 26, 2016 20:16 IST , New Delhi

Delhi Dynamos is placed fourth with 17 points from 11 matches whereas F.C. Goa stands last in the table.
Delhi Dynamos is placed fourth with 17 points from 11 matches whereas F.C. Goa stands last in the table.
lightbox-info

Delhi Dynamos is placed fourth with 17 points from 11 matches whereas F.C. Goa stands last in the table.

Its last match loss halted the momentum of an impressive campaign a bit but Delhi Dynamos would look to reassert itself as strong title contenders when it takes on bottom-placed FC Goa in its final home game of the Indian Super League here tomorrow.

Delhi is one of the most impressive sides in the ISL this season but with three matches left to be played, it is placed fourth with 17 points from 11 matches. A win tomorrow will put Delhi a foot on the play-offs.

For Goa, if it wins tomorrow, it can mathematically still qualify for the semifinals. But, it has a remote chance now after its 1-2 loss against Atletico de Kolkata at home in its last match. It is now at the bottom of the eight-team league table with 11 points from 12 matches.

Delhi's head coach Gianluca Zambrotta said that it would be foolish to be complacent against Goa in his side’s quest for a semifinal berth.

“If we win this game then Delhi will be in a good position to qualify for play-offs. I am not getting into the mathematical calculations, just preparing for this match and trying to win. Like always, we will strive to win,” said Zambrotta at the pre-match media interaction.

Delhi has been strong at home this season and is the only side not to lose a home game. It was winless at home in its first three matches, but Zambrotta’s side eventually gained momentum, winning two of its next three matches.The clash against Goa tomorrow will be the last home game in the league stage for Delhi and Zambrotta knows his side must remain focused.

“At the moment, this is one of the most difficult games for us. It will be a mistake to think they (Goa) are last. That will be a bad attitude. The players must stay focused and determined,” said Zambrotta.

The 2006 World Cup winner said he would take one game at a time, and that anything more than qualification for the play-offs would be a welcome bonus. "My philosophy is to take one match at a time. Tomorrow, we have our last home game and we must play well for our fans."

"In all honesty, if we win against Goa, we will be in a much better position to make the playoffs, but I don’t worry about how many points we are going to win or lose in a game. My job is to prepare the team in the best way possible Our primary target is to qualify for the playoffs. If we finish on top (at the league stage), that will be an added bonus," said the 39-year-old.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment