Delhi Dynamos v FC Goa - Who will make it to the final?
Delhi Dynamos will host FC Goa in the first semi-final of the second edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Friday. We analyze the strength and weaknesses of both these teams before they face each other in first leg of what is expected to be a closely fought tie.
After a stellar first showing of the Indian Super League threw the gauntlet down, the second season has lived up to and surpassed all expectations. A string of global marquee players have graced the Indian green, pre-season favourites and heavy buyers have bitten ignominious dust, dark horses have picked up sudden speed, and the crowds have constantly lapped up this swirling soup of unpredictability.
As FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos get ready for their showdown in the first semi-final, let us analyze each team’s chances of further success in this competition:
Delhi Dynamos
As the final whistle blew in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Roberto Carlos locked Zico in a warm embrace of Brazilian greats, the Dynamos coach would have felt a sense of tempered satisfaction. Satisfaction at having qualified for the semi-finals with games to spare – essentially making this encounter with FC Goa a dead rubber dress rehearsal – and caveat-ed with caution after some worrying recent results and leaky defending.
Strength: Assist king and scoring diversity
Breaking from stereotype, Delhi don’t have an over-reliance on any single magical panacea striker like Stevin Mendoza, Iain Hume, or Reinaldo. Their goal tally, albeit modest, is evenly distributed across their forward line, with Richard Gadze netting four and Robin Singh, Gustavo Dos Santos, and Adil Nabi having three strikes each.
In addition to goals, these players offer a diverse and complementary set of skills: Gadze’s swiveling hips and low centre of gravity, Dos Santos’s pace and trickery, Nabi’s smart runs and anticipation, and Robin Singh’s leonine jostling and hold up play. The absence of a single talismanic striker means that Delhi’s opponents have numerous targets to be wary of, a multi-headed hydra with well-rounded striking prowess.
Where Delhi’s dependence does show itself is with Florent Malouda. The French stalwart has been ever-present in Roberto Carlos’s side, clocking 1200 very productive minutes. With a team-high 8 assists to his name, the ex-Chelsea European champion is the thread that ties the Delhi tapestry together. Although his passing accuracy is relatively poor at 73%, a large proportion of those passes owe themselves to Malouda’s willingness to create and take attacking risks. If Florent is on form, Delhi have a great chance to go all the way this ISL.
Weakness: Defensive lapses and poor home form
At the outset, Delhi’s tally of 20 goals conceded isn’t likely to be a subject of further worry; with the third best defensive record in the league and an accomplished defensive setup of John Arne Riise, Anas Edathodika, Chicao, and Toni Doblas, one can confidently repose faith in Delhi’s ability to keep it tight at the back. But take a closer look at their recent defensive failings and Delhi may potentially have a problem.
A whopping 11 of those 20 goals were conceded in the last four matches. A 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Chennai, a high-scoring 3-3 draw with low-lying Kerala, and a 3-2 home reversal against Goa is hardly ideal defensive preparation as the Pride looks to charge into the semi-finals.
Another worry for Carlos’s men is their mediocre home form throughout the season. Two wins, four draws, and a loss at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium means they have the poorest home record among the top four teams. A narrow 1-0 win over Chennai early on in the season is the only precedent for Delhi’s home success against any of their three potential opponents. With the first leg of the semi-final against Goa creeping up fast, Delhi would do well to shore up defensively and get their home mojo back if they want to improve their chances of progression.
FC Goa
Zico must be a very happy man. A top of the table finish that few would have predicted at the start of the season, a monstrous 29 goals, many players in scoring touch, and a second consecutive semi-final appearance for FC Goa in two seasons. The Gaurs have every chance of going the distance if their in-form players continue sporting their purple patches, but they need to be cognizant of big defeats suffered against their semi-finals brethren in the league stages and not repeat the same mistakes.
Strength: The efficient reign of Reinaldo
His name may be one syllable off from El Fenomeno, but this lanky Brazilian has torn into the ISL like a tornado while in the autumn of his career. A veteran who has graced clubs like Flamengo, PSG, Sao Paolo, Santos, and Botafogo, Reinaldo is no stranger to having expectations thrust upon him. And he has met those expectations head-on this season, seven goals and four assists making him one of the highest contributing strikers in the league.
Reinaldo is ably assisted by his many lieutenants: Mandar Rao Dessai, Dempo regular, has three goals and two assists; young defensive midfielder Jonatan Lucca has also chipped in with three goals and two assists; tireless Nigerian Dudu scored a blockbuster hat-trick against Mumbai; and attacking tyro Thongkhosiem Haokip has performed and scored whenever called upon.
Another point to note about FC Goa’s attack is how efficient it is in terms of shots and shots on target. Goa’s shots/goal ratio is the best among the top four teams, with the team taking just under 6 shots for every goal scored. Zico’s charges also have the best shots/shots on target ratio, needing just 1.58 shots for every shot on target. With semi-finals and finals usually being tight, cagey affairs, the more efficient Goa team can really make their advantage count.
Caption: FC Goa’s efficiency may prove key differentiator
Weakness: Big losses and bogey teams
Just like Delhi, Goa has a decent if unremarkable defensive record at first glance with 20 goals conceded. But a look at the score-lines reveal a propensity to lose big and iffy showings against fellow semi-finalists. A chastening 4-0 home loss to Chennai and another 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Atletico de Kolkata is sure to hand the psychological advantage to the opposition, should Goa progress to the final. Goa have not managed to beat Atletico this season at all, in fact, with the home leg also yielding only a 1-1 draw.
Looking at Goa’s record against Delhi, a 2-0 home victory in the opening game of the season is encouraging, but the narrow 3-2 away win had enough moments to showcase how the Lions from the capital can cause Goa problems. Delhi hoarded the ball in the first half, quick passing triangles and a personnel overload handing them control in midfield. The 2-0 lead Delhi took actually flattered Goa; the hosts could easily have scored a couple more goals and shot the match out of reach. Zico will need to make sure that the intrepid Goa of the second half take the field in the semi-final instead of the trembling aspen leaves of the first half.
Conclusion
The semi-final seems succulently set up, with Delhi’s Malouda magic facing off against Goa’s Reinaldo dominance. With both teams capable of the odd big defeat, Delhi’s average home form, and warning signs in Goa’s previous performances against Delhi, the guillotine of failure hangs equally ominously over both teams. But the wreath of victory is also equally within reach.Â
