Delhi Dynamos eye NorthEast scalp, top spot

Top spot in the table will be on Delhi Dynamos’ mind when they host beleaguered NorthEast United in their Indian Super League match here on Tuesday.

With four wins from six appearances, the Dynamos are comfortably placed in second place, while two victories from as many outings have seen the Highlanders struggling at the seventh place.

The Dynamos’ performance has been in stark contrast to NorthEast United’s struggles in the second edition of the eight-team league. Another win over Cesar Farias’ outfit and the hosts will take the number one slot.

However, Dynamos manager Roberto Carlos asked his players to guard against complacency in Tuesday’s game. “Sometimes the table doesn’t show the skills of each team. NorthEast are a great team with great players. We are going to struggle to win tomorrow. It will be very tough.

“We have been through that when we played Mumbai. Obviously, I hope we don’t have the same result as Mumbai (a 0-2 loss),” he said.

Having started their campaign on a sour note — a 0-2 defeat to FC Goa — Dynamos went on a winning spree in the next games before the run was snapped up by sixth-placed Mumbai City FC.

They rebounded in the next game, eking out a 1-0 win over defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, justifying the tag of being one of the firm favourites this season. Changes are expected in Delhi’s line-up following Souvik Chakraborty’s one-match suspension.

For NE United, the tie will be nothing less than a must-win game if they are to enter the knockout stage.

Farias will hope his players including likely skipper Simao and Velez — his two attackers — and stopper Cedric Hengbart rise to the challenge and deliver the goods for the struggling outfit.

Ronaldo set to vist delhi Brazilian football legend Ronaldo could make his maiden visit to India as he has been invited by former national and Real Madrid team mate Roberto Carlos to be the special guest in one of the Delhi’s ISL games.