ISL 2018-19: Delhi Dynamos FC host NorthEast United FC in must-win clash

Delhi Dynamos are currently in the eighth spot with three points from five games while NorthEast United are second with eight points from four goals

Delhi Dynamos will look to put the defeat against Mumbai City FC behind them when they face an in-form NorthEast United in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.

Eyeing their first win of the season, the Dynamos will hope to put their inconsistent start to the season behind them when they face a well-oiled second-placed NEUFC. Currently, they are seated in eigth position in the points table.

The visitors, meanwhile, come into this game placed second in the league and much of it has been due to the fine form of striker Ogbeche who has found the back of the net five times so far.

 

SQUAD: Josep Gombau's side have been dominating the proceedings but it's the final product that has led the side down. Dynamos completed more than 500 passes in their last game and had 24 shots on goal, but the attacking line has failed to find the net with striker Andrija Kaluderovic finding the net just once this season.

Against Mumbai, it was yet again on the counter attacks that the side conceded goals and it is something Gombau and his team are working on fixing.

Marcos Tebar remains the only concern for Dynamos heading into this game with the Spaniard nursing a hamstring injury.

 

MANAGERS SPEAK: "We are conceding goals in transition and that is something we need to work on. We are playing more in the opposition half and then getting hit on the counter attack. We are working on fixing that," he said.

"Tomorrow is the day that hopefully things change for us. It's a new game and I hope that we rectify our mistakes and start to take our chances. We need to be more proficient upfront," Gombau added.

Gombau though is hopeful that the Dynamos defence can stop the strong NorthEast attack.

"Tomorrow will be tough. They have a strong attacking force and it will be a big task for us to stop them. I am hoping that we can do well and keep a clean sheet," Gombau said.

 

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Delhi Dynamos and NorthEast United have played each other eight times with Dynamos coming out on top on three occassions while NorthEast have won two encounters. Three matches ended in draw.

FORM: Delhi are yet to win a game in this edition of the ISL and much of the blame must be put on Delhi's striker who have failed to find the back of the net on a regular basis. Delhi have scored just thrice despite having 16 shots on target and have a passing accuracy of 69.51 per cent. Summer signing Andrija Kaludjerovic has a goal conversion rate of just 10 per cent. If Delhi are to change their fortune, they'd need Kaludjerovic, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Rene Mihelic to fire on all cylinders. 

NorthEast’s fortune has been exact opposite to Delhi and it's their main man, captain Bartholomew Ogbeche who has been leading from the front by scoring five goals. Rowllin Borges and Federico Gallego have been immense presence in the middle of the park. They have scored eight goals from 13 shots on target and have the passing accuracy of 73.37 per cent.

PROBABLE 11s:

DELHI DYNAMOS: Francisco Dorronsoro (GK), Pritam Kotal (C), Marti Crespi, Rana Gharami, Narayan Das, Vinit Rai, Gianni Zuiverloon, Rene Mihelic, Romeo Fernandes, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Andrija Kaludjerovic

NORTHEAST UNITED: Pawan Kumar (GK), Reagan Singh, Mato Grgic, Robert Lalthlamuana, Provat Lakra, Rowllin Borges, Jose Leudo, Redeem Tlang, Federico Gallego, Nikhil Kadam, Bartholomew Ogbeche (C)