Delhi Dynamos FC have already qualified for the semi final playoffs in the Indian Super League (ISL), but coach Roberto Carlos is still going to field a relatively strong side against bottom club Kerala Blasters FC on Thursday.
With two games still left to play, the club from the capital still has a chance to go top of the league, but only if they win both their matches.
a Ita s going to be the toughest game of all. If we think, tomorrow will be easy we will lose the game. Ia ve asked them to take it seriously. Our goal is not achieved yet,a said Carlos, in an official press release, ahead of the match.
However, Carlos did mention that he would rest a couple of key players in this dead-rubber. He said, a For the game tomorrow, almost all the players will play. Only Chicao and Vinicius Ferreira will be out. One of our goals of getting to the semis has been checked off. Now the goal is to win. Tomorrow all will play, almost.
a Souvik Chakraborty [who injured himself against NorthEast United FC] will be ready for the semis. [Florent] Malouda never complained about being tired. I will play him.a
Kerala Blasters to play for ‘pride’
Going from being the runners-up in last season’s competition to becoming the bottom-club this year is not something that the bosses at Kerala Blasters FC would have been hoping for. But, that seems to be their fate, as the head into a match that will not really have much bearing in the greater scheme of things.
However, manager Terry Phelan did say that it was a matter of pride for Kerala Blasters FC now and they would do all they can to win the last game of their season.
a The performances have been great. Rival coaches have talked about how we have been playing. But we have let ourselves down with poor goals conceded. Ita s about pride now. We need to play to our capabilities and hopefully we get off the bottom of the table,a said Phelan in an official press release.
Although this match will not influence either team’s playoff qualification chances, Delhi Dynamos FC can go to the top with a win, while Kerala Blasters FC can heave themselves out of the bottom spot, if they can get at least a draw out of this match.
. Image Courtesy: ISL Media Team