Chennai: Their hopes of making the semifinals revived by a four-match unbeaten streak, Delhi Dynamos now face the herculean task of continuing the momentum in the must-win encounter against table-toppers Chennaiyin FC in their final ISL match here today.
Delhi, after struggling for most part of the league, have rediscovered themselves with three wins and a draw in their last four matches.
Chennai, on the other hand, have been enduring a slight roller-coaster in their last four matches with two wins and an equal number of losses.
However, the erratic recent form has not harmed Chennai much and they are already through to the semifinal stage with 22 points from 13 matches, six of them wins and four draws.
Chennai go into tomorrow’s match after a crushing 1-3 loss to FC Goa in an away game and would be eager to get the winning momentum.
Facing Dynamos at home, Chennai would seek revenge of their first leg encounter in which Delhi thrashed them 4-1 on home turf.
Delhi, currently lying fourth on the table with 17 points from 13 matches — including four wins and an equal number of draws –, have a spring in their steps owing to some good results recently.
After a mid-round slump, Delhi recovered well to beat Mumbai 4-1, holding Atletico de Kolkata for a goalless draw and seeing off Pune City by a solitary goal scored by Gustavo dos Santos.
Dynamos coach Harm van Veldhoven will once again depend on his key players tomorrow has decided to field his marquee player Alessandro del Piero against the Chennaiyin.
Chennai, on the other hand, would be bolstered by the inclusion of Alessandro Nesta who has arrived here this morning and was present during the team’s training session. Former Italy defender Marco Materazzi, who was not available for their tie against FC Goa on Friday last, too would be back to lead the side and he expressed confidence of a good performance against the Dynamos tomorrow. (PTI)
Today’s Matches
Chennaiyin FC
vs
Delhi Dynamos FC
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
Kerala Blasters FC
vs
FC Pune City
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
Time: 7.00 (IST)
