New Delhi: Delhi Dynamos and FC Goa will lock horns at the Jawarhal Nehru Stadium in Delhi for the 1st leg of the play-offs in the second edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday. Apart from the clashes between the teams, the match will witness another tactical battle between two Brazilian legends, namely Zico -- who is the coach of FC Goa and Roberto Carlos -- who will be shouting instructions from the Delhi dugout.
In their previous two encounters, Zico's boys had the upper hand on both the occasions as they routed the Delhi side. This particular fact will definitely serve as a morale booster for the away team who are going to start the encounter as the firm favourites. In their very last match, which was also the last match of the round robin league, the Goan side came back from 2-0 down and scored three goals to seal the match 3-2 in their favour in this very ground. Undoubtedly this will enhance the confidence of the visiting side.
FC Goa topped the league table and has scored the maximum number of goals amongst all the eight teams. Their attacking style of play moulded with some Brazilian flavour has done wonders for the team. The team consists of a string of attacking players who possess enough speed and firepower to dismantle any opposition. They have players who are expert in the art of attack and counter-attack and can generate a goal out of nowhere.
Their defence will be led by the Brazilian World Cup winner Lucio and experienced Gregory Arnalin whereas the midfield will be controlled by Jofre, Jonathan Luk and Leo Moura. Leo Moura has been the star of the Goan midfield as he has committed the highest number of successful passes in the league phase. His ability to control the ball and the ball from the midfield has been simply outstanding.
In the striking position, the team has seasoned forwards in the form of Dudu Omagbemi and Reinaldo. And this is not the end, FC Goa boasts to have some amazing Indian talents namely Mandar Rao Desai, Vikramjit Singh, Pronoy Halder, Narayan Das and Romeo Fernandes, the latter whose skills and ferocious pace has been asset for the team.
On the other hand, the home team do not look so bad either. Their defence will be spearheaded by the 'Norweigian Wall' John Arne Riise, along with Indian defenders Souvik Chakroborty, Anas and Adinga. In the midfield, Florent Maluda, Viniscus, Hans Mulder, Chicao and super-sub Gustavo Dos Santos has do all the hard work.
Their forward line will be propelled by Robin Singh, Adil Nabi and Richard Gadze. Maoluda has been the impact player for the Delhi side as he has played a crucial role in generating attacks and moves along with Mulder. What Leo Moura is for Goa, Malouda is for Delhi and the midfield battle between the two will be a treat to watch.
Just like Goa, Dynamos rely on their speed and offensive tactics to nullify the rival team. Dos Santos and Gadze mainly come in as substitues and they pocess the capability to change the game in their favour. But a major concern for the the Delhi side is that they have not scored many goals and as a matter of fact, they have conceded more than they have scored in the laegue phase, which ofcourse will be a headache for Roberto Carlos.